Legislative Bills

HB0040S04 | Native American Child and Family Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses the protection of Indian children and families.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:
15          ▸     enacts the Utah Indian Child Welfare Act, including:
23               •     addressing placement of Indian children;
24               •     creating a process to return custody of an Indian child;
25               •     addressing information related to tribal affiliation;
26               •     authorizing agreements between the state and Indian tribes under certain
27     circumstances;
28               •     addressing improper removal of an Indian child;
29               •     explaining the application of state or federal standards;
30               •     providing for emergency removal or placement of an Indian child;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0040S04

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

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 1990-2 | Child Adoptions (retired)

FAM 2018-1 | Foster Care Standards

Impact on Children:

The Indian Child Welfare Act will create a better support system for Indian children by placing them, in a tribal foster home before being removed from the community to be placed in foster care. It also clearly defines the parameters for adopting an Indian child. Indian tribes are given exclusive jurisdiction over all custody hearings.

Commission:

Community Engagement

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved: That Utah PTA encourage the legislature to pass laws that will ensure that the best interests of the child be given primary emphasis in placement matters.

Resolved: That Utah PTA encourage the legislature to pass laws that will ensure that the best interests of the child be given primary emphasis in adoption matters

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.To raise the standards of home life. To maximize local control when it serves the best interest of all children and youth.

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

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT. Support policies which will increase family and community engagement and promote local positive parental involvement across the state of Utah.

HB0041S01 | Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Task Force

Description

General Description:

This bill creates the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Task Force (task force).

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:
creates the task force, addressing:
•     membership;
•     quorum requirements; and
•     compensation for task force members;
requires the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel to staff the task force; and specifies duties of the task force.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0041S01

Year:

2021

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 17, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$9,200

This bill appropriates: in fiscal year 2021: to the Legislature - Senate as a one-time appropriation: from the General Fund, One-time, $400; to the Legislature - House of Representatives as a one-time appropriation: from the General Fund, One-time, $400; and to the Legislature - Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel as a one-time appropriation: from the General Fund, One-time, $300; and in fiscal year 2022: to the Legislature - Senate as an ongoing appropriation: from the General Fund, $2,800; to the Legislature - House of Representatives as an ongoing appropriation: from the General Fund, $2,800; and to the Legislature - Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel as an ongoing appropriation: from the General Fund, $2,500.

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2009-2 | Child Abuse and Neglect

Impact on Children:

Children must be protected from all forms of abuse, neglect, maltreatment, and exploitation.

Commission:

Community Engagement

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.

HB0043S01 | School Security Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill creates the School Safety Support Program to provide funding for school safety requirements and infrastructure.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill creates the School Safety Support Program to provide funding for school safety requirements and infrastructure.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0043S01

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

Support

Impact on Children:

This bill creates the School Safety Support Program to provide funding for school safety requirements and infrastructure.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

Increase funding to ensure safe schools and to address the growing need for digital and online safety.

HB0044S07 | School Security Personnel Standards

Description

General Description:

This bill provides amendments to school safety standards regarding requirements for various safety related personnel.

Highlighted Provisions:

Bill is focused on school safety and security personnel standards in Utah. It makes changes to how schools organize and manage safety staff, including security guards and school guardians (trained personnel who may carry weapons in emergencies) Expands school safety personnel definitions — including how security guards and “school guardians” are defined Requires training and protocols for safety staff, including how to respond to emergencies. Requires panic alert devices and visitor management systems in schools. Allows county security chiefs to designate private companies for training. Clarifies how armed school guardians can carry concealed firearms on duty.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0044S07

Year:

2026

Status:

House/ to Governor

Last Action:

Mar 16, 2026

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

SAF 2022-1 | Safe School Policies

Impact on Children:

Strengthening the safety protocols outlined in this bill could provide a safer environment in Utah's public schools. It could also help to ease the minds of many parents who send their children to school each day. When children and their families feel safe at school a stronger and richer learning environment can occur to the benefit of all.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage investment from Federal, State and local decision makers for the necessary physical and psychological student supports and services, including locally determined physical safety measures, appropriate resources for health and wellness services, research-based online safety programs, qualified school-based health and wellness practitioners, training on trauma-informed practices, and optional mental health screenings for all students,

HB0044S01 | Social Work Licensure Compact

Description

General Description:

This bill enacts the Social Work Licensure Compact.

Highlighted Provisions:

Enacts the Social Work Licensure Compact

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0044S01

Year:

2024

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 13, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2020-1 | Emotional/Mental Health and Well-Being

Impact on Children:

Creates greater access to Licensed Clinical Social Workers for families and children.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, 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;

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

HEALTH: Support legislative action that focuses on the diverse mental health needs of Utah’s students and families, with a focus on promoting protective factors. This includes increasing public knowledge and understanding of mental health concerns throughout the state, access to resources, as well as providing funding for proactive prevention, timely interventions, and community-based initiatives utilizing evidence-based methods.

Legislative Bills

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