Legislative Bills

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HB0204 | Stipends for Future Educators Grant Program Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions regarding the Stipends for Future Educators Grant Program (program).

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill expands the "Stipends for Future Educators" program by allowing students from out of state to qualify for the stipend given to student teachers.

Bill Details
Year: 
2025
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 26, 2025
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 13
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Utah PTA Resolution: 
Impact on Children: 

This change will help Utah attract Student Teachers from other states, who will hopefully then be willing to stay in Utah once they have completed their schooling.

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

Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage the legislature to adequately fund critical educational needs, including but not limited to, class size reduction, teacher salaries

HB0205 | Students with Disabilities Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends a formula related to add-on weighted pupil units for students with disabilities.

Bill Details
Year: 
2020
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 12, 2020
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 61
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

1.  Provides a formula for state funding for students with disabilities that factors in growth of the number of these students based on a four year average.

Commission: 
Education
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

Utah PTA Resolution EDU 2005-1 - Resolved, That Utah PTA and its organizations support continued state and local funding to at least the present level to sustain present programs to educate students with disabilities, including intellectual, physical, emotional, and psychological disabilities.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities 2019-20 #7. Support legislation, funding, and community partnerships that provide programs and resources to strengthen families and children’s social and emotional well being through affordable housing, homelessness initiatives, education, and parenting skills, and juvenile justice reforms.

HB0205 | Universal Background Checks for Firearm Purchases

Description
General Description: 

This bill requires a background check for certain firearm sales.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill requires background checks for the transfer of a firearm between persons who are not federal firearms licensees; creates exceptions for family members, law enforcement agencies and officers, and others; allows for temporary transfers under specific circumstances; provides criminal penalties for a violation of the provisions of this bill;
 

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
House/ filed
Last Action: 
Mar 05, 2021
Sponsor
Representative
Democrat - District 28
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support w/ Comment

Comment:
Utah PTA advocates for gun safety and violence prevention measures for the benefit and safety of children while recognizing the importance of responsible gun ownership and Second Amendment rights to the citizens of Utah.

Impact on Children: 

For nearly 30 years, National PTA has advocated for common-sense and comprehensive gun safety and violence prevention measures while preserving the lawful use of firearms for sport and personal protection.

Commission: 
Safety
Utah PTA Public Policy Program
Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.

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 Firearms Position Statement
Given the history and tradition of strong support for the safety and protection of children and youth, the National PTA supports federal restrictions on firearms that would require, prior to purchasing a firearm, a waiting period and background check to screen out illegal firearm purchasers such as convicted felons and drug-related offenders;

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

Enact Legislation to Protect Youth, Families and Communities From Gun and Other Violence Firearms are the second-leading cause of death for American children and teens, with nearly 1,600 children and teens dying by gun homicide every year. Congress must:
Require a waiting period and a comprehensive background check for any individual prior to buying a firearm from both licensed and unlicensed dealers

HB0207S03 | Sexual Offense Revisions

Description
General Description: 

This bill changes certain sexual offenses and sentencing for sexual offenses.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill:
▸amends sentencing provisions concerning repeat and habitual sex offenders, including
requiring mandatory imprisonment;
▸provides a definition of a female breast for purposes of certain sexual and sexual
exploitation offenses that includes a breast that is undeveloped or partially developed;
▸expands the definition of "child sexual abuse material" to include a minor observing or
being used for sexually explicit conduct;
▸modifies the definition of "sexual explicit conduct" concerning certain bodily functions;
▸changes the mental state necessary to commit the offense of sexual exploitation of a
minor;
▸expands the offense of sexual exploitation of a minor to include when an actor accesses
child sexual abuse material with the intent to view;
▸provides a safe harbor provision for certain employees and independent contractors who
access child sexual abuse material within the scope of employment;
▸changes the mental state necessary to commit the offense of aggravated sexual
exploitation of a minor;
▸amends the offense of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor to remove a lesser
penalty for circumstances when the child sexual abuse material depicts an individual
who is 14 years old or older and pubescent

Bill Details
Year: 
2025
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 25, 2025
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 63
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill helps to protect children from more child abuse and sexual exploitation by keeping offenders of the streets longer. This bill aims to changes definitions regarding child sexual exploitation in turn to take more predators off the street. We do not condone any types of abuse or sexual exploitation and support laws that want to protect minors.

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

Resolved,That Utah PTA and its constituent associations promote and support the adoption and enforcement of laws,at all levels of government, to endthe recruitment, forceor involvementof a minorin conduct orviolenceof a sexually nature and all forms of sexual exploitation; and be it further

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements: 

Child Safety and Protection: Prevent exploitation of children and unhealthy work environments...Protect children from violence.

HB0208 | Alcohol Education Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends and enacts provisions regarding media and education campaigns about alcohol.

Bill Details
Year: 
2020
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 28, 2020
Sponsor
Representative
Republican - District 51
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAS/FAE) are recognized as the leading cause of mental retardation and behavioral dysfunction in children and are entirely preventable.  This bill will provide funding for one or more media and education campaigns designed to reduce the consumption of alcohol while pregnant which will help to prevent FAS/FAE in children. 

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA work to ensure that there are questions asked in prenatal health care about use of alcohol, and that the medical community understand and work to educate people concerning the prevention of FAS/FAE

Utah PTA Legislative Policy: 

The Utah PTA is a non-profit, grassroots, child advocacy association made up of parents, teachers, and students. The legislative program of the Utah PTA is derived from the work of PTA in home, school, and community. PTA efforts “to secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth” are based upon:

1. The recognition of the home as the foundation of our society;
2. Parental involvement as an essential component of all policy-making processes pertaining to children

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities: 

6. Support measures to instill proven and effective prevention methods to promote healthy behaviors in children to be able to overcome the ills of society including suicide, tobacco use, vaping, underage drinking, drug abuse, sexual exploitation, bullying, and any form of addiction that is harmful to our children’s well-being.