Legislative Bills

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SB0241S01 | Early Literacy

Description
General Description: 

This bill establishes a framework of literacy interventions in kindergarten through grade 3 within the public education system.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Bill asks for $15 million to increase interventions for K-3 Literacy. gives suggestions for other literacy helps K-3.

Bill Details
Year: 
2026
Status: 
Senate/ to Governor
Last Action: 
Mar 13, 2026
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 5
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support

Utah PTA supports increasing resources to provide additional interventions for K-3 literacy. However, PTA is not in favor of requirements to retain students. This should be decided in consultation with parents and teachers on an individual basis.

Impact on Children: 

This will help our children increase their ability to read and be more successful in their lives.  

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

Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage the Governor and the State Legislature to continue funding early literacy efforts in Utah and making literacy a priority for all Utah students.

SB0242 | Alternative Education Tax Credit Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill enacts a refundable tax credit for certain education expenses.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill:
enacts a one-time refundable tax credit that an individual may claim for a dependent's education expenses resulting from disenrollment in public education   and enrollment in private education or home school.

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Senate/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 05, 2021
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 19
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Oppose
Impact on Children: 

This bill diverts tax dollars from the education fund creating less funding for public education programs. 

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

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.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

Support education legislation which guarantees that public funds intended for the funding of the public education system not be allocated for private interests including vouchers, tax credits, or other means.

SB0244S01 | Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in Schools

Description
General Description: 

This bill establishes requirements for cardiac emergency response plans in schools.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Establishes requirements for AEDs and cardiac emergency training in schools

Bill Details
Year: 
2026
Status: 
Senate/ to Governor
Last Action: 
Mar 11, 2026
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 6
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

In 2024, there were almost 50 children in Utah who had a sudden cardiac event. AEDs remain important in saving lives when these events occur. This bill will establish the requirement for all Utah schools to have an AED

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

National PTA Resolution on AED: That National PTA and its constituent associations advocate for legislation that independently funds the placement of an FDA ‐ approved AED FDA‐approved AEDs in every school while providing immunity for ordinary negligence in acts or omissions resulting from the operation or maintenance of (AEDs).

SB0244S02 | Ethnic Studies Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill requires ethnic studies in public schools.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill:
▸ requires the State Board of Education to incorporate ethnic studies into the core standards for Utah public schools (core standards);
▸ requires a local education agency to:
• adopt ethnic studies instructional materials and curriculum that align with core standards; and
• integrate ethnic studies into regular school work for kindergarten through grade 12;
▸ creates the Ethnic Studies Commission (commission) to:
• study the contributions of ethnic minorities in Utah; and
• recommend to the state board how to incorporate ethnic studies into core standards;

Bill Details
Year: 
2022
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 24, 2022
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 19
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending

Utah PTA supports having standards that are more representative of the general population. This will benefit students in general and support minority students whose stories have been sometimes ignored or distorted to feel they are represented. However, Utah PTA recognizes that proposing these standards is under the purview of the Utah State Board of Education rather than the legislature. 

Commission: 
Community Engagement
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

General Principles for Consideration of Proposed Legislation:

Equity in the form of equal justice, privileges, opportunities, and responsibilities in every phase of life for all children and youth, while recognizing that each child is unique with individual needs and talents.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

National PTA Statement: Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Acknowledge and appreciate individual ideas, knowledge and values that are different from
our own.
Seek out and learn from a diverse set of perspectives, skills and experiences, staying open to the unfamiliar and possibly uncomfortable.

National PTA Position Statement: CITIZENSHIP AND EQUALITY
Educational programs designed to increase understanding of the U.S. Constitution and civil rights, civil liberties, and appreciation for those individuals who fought for them;

SB0248 | Child Care Expansion Act

Description
General Description: 

This bill enacts the Employer-Based, State-Assisted Child Care Capacity Expansion Program to expand available high quality child care in the state.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill would make unused government buildings available to be retrofitted for child care and give businesses access to lease them. It can be one business or a group of small businesses together.

Bill Details
Year: 
2026
Status: 
Senate/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 06, 2026
Sponsor
Senator
Democrat - District 10
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

This would provide more access to low cost child care.

Commission: 
Family Life
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions: 

Resolved that Utah PTA encourage affected agencies to examine existing policies and create new policies which will better serve the needs of both children and parents;