Legislative Bills

HB0168 | Artificial Intelligence in Education

Description

General Description:

This bill establishes a task force to guide the implementation and use of artificial intelligence in Utah's education system.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill establishes a task force to guide the implementation and use of artificial intelligence in Utah's education system.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0168

Year:

2025

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 07, 2025

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support w/ Comment

The Utah PTA supports HB 168, which establishes the Artificial Intelligence in Education Task Force.We recognize the importance of exploring AI’s role in education to enhance learning, improve equity, and protect student privacy. However we strongly recommend increasing the representation of classroom teachers on the task force. Currently the bill provides for only one teacher, but to ensure that AI policies and guidelines reflect the diverse needs of Utah’s students, teachers from elementary, middle and high schools should be
included. These educators bring firsthand knowledge of the unique challenges and
opportunities present at different grade levels, which is critical for developing thoughtful and
practical AI policies. We urge lawmakers to consider expanding teacher representation on the
task force to create a more inclusive and well- rounded perspective as Utah moves forward in
shaping AI’s role in education.

Impact on Children:

Creating a task force to address and understand the issues and concerns of Artificial Intelligence and its effects on children in the public school system is necessary and important. With the regular increase of AI's potential for good and bad in our public schools, increased vigilance and knowledge is critical for the safety and health of our children.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations be familiar with advances in technology, social networking, digital devices, applications (apps), gaming technologies, etc., their uses, and the potential impact on the safety and development on youth and teens

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

Address threats to the safety and well-being of children that can happen online, such as cyberbullying, exploitation, criminal activity and violence.

HB0168 | Sale of Sexual Assault Test Kits Prohibited

Description

General Description:

This bill prohibits over-the-counter sexual assault evidence kits.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:
prohibits selling or providing an over-the-counter sexual assault evidence kit; and imposes a penalty for a violation.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0168

Year:

2021

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 05, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

SAF 2016-2 | Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

Impact on Children:

Sexual Assault is a serious offense and the sale of these kits would give false hope for any potential prosecution. Even cases with evidence that is collected in a professional manner is difficult to prosecute.

When a victim goes to a hospital to get evidence of rape collected they are treated with a presumption of belief by hospital staff and victims advocates.

Victims are also provided with other resources to deal with the emotional trauma of being raped, this would not be provided for those who purchase kits on the internet.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations advocate for the protection of rights of victims and support provided measures for the physical, psychological, and social recovery of victims of sexual exploitation; and be it further
Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage and call for members, policy makers, schools and community organizations to actively raise awareness and to address those conditions and situations that contribute to the sexual exploitation of a minor.

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

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.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

5. Support measures to promote safe and healthy environments and behaviors for children to prevent suicide, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking,

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

National PTA Position Statement - Child Safety and Protection: Protect children from violence.

HB0168 | School Bus Safety Requirements

Description

General Description:

This bill modifies the Traffic Code by requiring a new school bus purchased after June 30, 2020, to be equipped with seatbelts.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0168

Year:

2019

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 14, 2019

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

This bill is an unfunded mandate and will require districts to fund the buses themselves at an exorbitant cost.

Impact on Children:

Research has concluded that high backed padded seats and seat belts together improve overall bus passenger safety by providing true compartmentalization in accidents, especially side impacts and rollovers, and the use of seat belts does not significantly increase evacuation time, and current seat belt buckle design coupled with education on evacuation helps ensure that no child of school age will be trapped in a bus by their seat belt; and use of seat belts on school buses will reinforce the important safety habit of buckling up, and Students who are properly belted in are less distracting to the school bus driver, and a strong seat belt use policy will significantly reduce fatal actions such as putting one's head or arm out of a school bus window, or falling out of a school bus door, by school bus passengers.

Commission:

Education

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That the National PTA shall support legislation or regulation requiring any new bus purchased for the purpose of transporting school children to be equipped with seat belts, and further be it

Resolved, That National PTA shall encourage all school districts to implement strong seat belt use, education, and enforcement policies.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

National PTA Resolution Seat Belt in New School Buses

Links

National PTA Resolution on Seat Belts in New School Buses

HB0170S02 | School Board Referendum Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to local referendums.

Highlighted Provisions:

Subject to certain exceptions, establishes a process for voters who are residents of a school district to hold a referendum on a law passed by the school district's local school board, including a law that increases a tax or imposes a new tax.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0170S02

Year:

2026

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 06, 2026

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2025-3 | Education Funding

Impact on Children:

Making local school board decisions subject to referendum adds a significant element of uncertainty to implementing new policies or needed budget items. Voters already have the ability to elect new local board leadership if they are unhappy with the decisions made by their local school board members.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations continue to urge the legislature to make public education revenue allocations and funding effort a high priority.

HB0172 | Food Sales Tax Modifications

Description

General Description:

This bill reduces the tax imposed on amounts paid or charged for certain food.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:
12          ▸     removes the state sales and use tax from amounts paid or charged for food and food
13     ingredients;
14          ▸     excludes candy from the definition of food and food ingredients;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0172

Year:

2023

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 03, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Impact on Children:

Removing the state sales tax is one way we can help children and families in Utah afford good nutrition. The relief is immediate instead of waiting for a tax refund. It is a policy changed supported by Utahns Against Hunger.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

The Utah PTA Purposes

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.

To raise the standards of home life.

General Principles for Consideration of Proposed Legislation:
Prioritizing the needs of all children and youth, while adhering to fiscal responsibility in government.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

HEA 2022-4 | PROPOSED Child Nutrition and Food Insecurity Resolution
That Utah PTA and its constituent associations call on state, district and local leaders to take action to reduce and eliminate hunger and food insecurity for Utah’s children through policy and funding;

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.
Engage the public in united and equitable efforts to secure the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being of all children and youth.

Legislative Bills

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