Legislative Bills

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SB0177 | Scholarships for Special Needs Students

Description
General Description: 

This bill creates the Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship Program and related income tax credits.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Senate/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2019
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 10
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

This is a private school voucher. Utah PTA opposes the diversion of public education monies to private schools.

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Resolved, That Utah PTA oppose vouchers, tax credits and deductions and other similar funding sources for public and private preschool, elementary and secondary school tuition and other education-related expenses for students.

SB0177S02 | Child Welfare Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions related to child safety and welfare.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill (Sub 1): ▸amends definitions for the Juvenile Code; ▸amends provisions regarding the time and circumstances under which a person may seek review of certain child abuse or neglect findings; ▸addresses the evidence that a juvenile court shall hear at a shelter hearing; ▸addresses what a juvenile court considers when determining whether reunification services are appropriate;

Bill Details
Year: 
2025
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 26, 2025
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 16
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill enhances child safety by recording severe abuse findings to bar offenders from working with children and by ensuring that shelter hearings prioritize the child's voice and relevant evidence. It also favors temporary placements with relatives or friends to support the child.

Commission: 
Safety
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Resolved,That Utah PTA and its constituent associations advocate for adequate laws to protect children in all areas of child abuse, neglect, maltreatment, and exploitation

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship. To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

Support legislation, funding, and community partnerships that provide programs and resources to strengthen families and children’s social, emotional and physical learning and well-being

SB0177 | Absenteeism Prevention Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill allows a school age child's grade to include attendance under certain circumstances.

Highlighted Provisions: 

 Allows a school age child's grade to include attendance under certain circumstances;
 

Bill Details
Year: 
2024
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 21, 2024
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 21
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

Studies  indicate  that  chronic absenteeism,  whether  excused  or  unexcused,  is  a  proven predictor of lower academic performance, study skills and habits, and higher dropout rates; chronic absenteeism also tends to predict significant adverse consequences in students’ lives, from the inability to reach early learning milestones to poorer outcomes later in life and lower overall wellbeing

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations urge the Utah legislature to appropriate sufficientfundingforthecollectionanddetailedanalysisofdataonchronicabsenteeism;for thecreation,implementationandrolloutofprogramsforchronicallyabsentstudents;andfor information campaigns to parents and students

SB0177S01 | Behavioral Health Crisis Response Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill modifies the Statewide Behavioral Health Crisis Response Account.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Brings $14,863,215 from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services--Integrated Health Care Services for non-Medicaid Behavioral Health Treatment and Crisis Response

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
Senate/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 04, 2022
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 12
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$29,726,400
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2023: to General Fund Restricted -- Behavioral Health Crisis Response Account, as an ongoing appropriation: from General Fund, $14,863,200; and to Department of Health and Human Services -- Integrated Health Care Services -- Non-Medicaid Behavioral Health Treatment and Crisis Response, as an ongoing appropriation: from General Fund, $14,863,200.
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Passage of this bill will further expand state resources to help with the growing needs of crisis response efforts involving mental health issues, providing ongoing funding for these critical efforts.

Commission: 
Health
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

That Utah PTA support collaborative efforts between the home, school, private physicians,
and community resource agencies to create mental health support networks for families, to recognize the prevalence and need for recognition of mental health illnesses and associated diagnosis and treatment, and to increase the number of psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, and mental health professionals to provide adequate services for those needing help;

SB0178 | Education Deadline and Fiscal Flexibility

Description
General Description: 

This bill extends or provides flexibility regarding certain education deadlines and spending restrictions.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill allows a local education agency (LEA) to transfer a portion of state restricted funds
in the LEA's general fund to be used without the state restrictions under certain conditions; extends certain expenditure deadlines by one fiscal year; delays by one year a requirement that a student fee be equal to or less than the cost to the LEA of providing an activity, course, or program.

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 17, 2021
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 17
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill gives funding flexibility to LEAs to meet some of the challenges brought about by the covid-19 pandemic. It also delays some deadlines giving LEAs more time to comply.

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

PS STU 2021 Coronavirus Pandemic Impact on Student Learning
Resolved, that Utah PTA, parents, policy leaders and educators must communicate clearly and honestly about the challenges they are facing, and share the steps they are taking to support educators, students and families,

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

Support education appropriations that support a 4% increase in the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) and additional appropriations that support schools/districts with additional expenses incurred due to Covid 19.