Legislative Bills

HB0061S04 | School Safety Requirements

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses school safety and security issues.

Highlighted Provisions:

▸ creates the School Security Task Force;
▸ requires the task force to develop the qualifications, duties, and scope of authority
of the state security chief;
▸ requires that all secondary schools have a school resource officer

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0061S04

Year:

2023

Status:

Governor Signed

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$78,943,000

This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2024: to the State Board of Education - Contracted Initiatives and Grants, as a one-time appropriation: from the Income Tax Fund, One-Time, $75,000,000; to the State Board of Education - Policy, Communication, & Oversight: from the Income Tax Fund, $3,660,000; and to the Department of Public Safety - Programs and Operations: from the General Fund, $283,000.

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA supports the creation of a School Security Task Force; however, we would request that a parent representative be added to the committee makeup.

Utah PTA Resolution:

SAF 2022-1 | Safe School Policies

Impact on Children:

This bill would make schools safer by creating a School Security Task Force.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, that Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage all efforts to address school safety to involve all stakeholders, especially students, parents, and families, and consider a variety of factors including the physical and psychological safety of students;

Resolved, that Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage investment from Federal, State and local decisionmakers 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,

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community, and place of worship.
Prioritizing the needs of all children and youth, while adhering to fiscal responsibility in government.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

SAFETY. Support funding to strengthen school safety measures including upgrading school buildings to be safe and secure, safety training and educating families and communities on school safety policies, children’s online safety, and evaluating digital threats to schools in Utah.

HB0063S03 | Criminal Justice and Mental Health Coordination Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses situations where an individual experiencing a mental health crisis may interact with the criminal justice system.

Highlighted Provisions:

Criminal Justice and Mental Health Coordination Amendments Establishes a Crisis Response Task Force. Outlines responsibilities of local mental health authorities. Sets provisions for emergency conservatorship for those experiencing a mental health crisis.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0063S03

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

Utah PTA Resolution:

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

Impact on Children:

Provides access to local mental health services and programs for minors within the framework of the local mental health authorities

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations advocate for programs, policies, and legislation which provide adequate training and resources for recognizing and helping children with emotional and behavioral problems and improving the training of primary care physicians in mental illness assessment and treatment;

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

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.

HB0066S01 | Ritual Abuse Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses ritual abuse.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill: requires current sexual assault and sexual abuse training for law enforcement officers to include training on sexual assault committed during a ritual and the impact of that conduct on the victim; creates an aggravating factor for certain offenses committed against an individual under 18 years old if the offense was committed as part of a ritual; and makes technical and conforming changes.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0066S01

Year:

2025

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 25, 2025

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2009-2 | Child Abuse and Neglect

Impact on Children:

This bill would allow for officers of the law to have continual training on sexual abuse, so they will know how to better help the people they are serving, especially children. This bill also makes it more punishable by law for those offending against children. We need to be anxiously engaged in keeping our children safe, and this helps keeps offenders away from the kids.

Commission:

Family Life

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 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

HB0067S01 | First Responder Mental Health Services Grant Program Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends the First Responder Mental Health Services Grant Program (program).

Highlighted Provisions:

Expands eligibility for the First Responder Mental Health Services Grant Program, expands institutions at which a recipient may use a grant under the program, amends the computation of the grant amount, modifies the Utah Board of Higher Education's responsibilities related to accepting applications for the programs

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0067S01

Year:

2024

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 12, 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:

This bill would create greater access to mental health professionals by expanding the workforce.

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

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.

HB0068S06 | Housing and Community Development Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill creates the Division of Housing and Community Development within the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity.

Highlighted Provisions:

The bill simplifies how the state helps families find affordable places to live

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0068S06

Year:

2026

Status:

House/ to Governor

Last Action:

Mar 12, 2026

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Impact on Children:

. When housing is stable, children don't have to switch schools, teachers can afford to live in our neighborhoods, and our students have a more secure foundation for learning.

1. Reduces "Student" Churn - When housing costs spike, families are often forced to move in the middle of a school year. This causes children to switch schools frequently, which research shows leads to lower test scores and higher dropout rates. HB68 aims to make housing more affordable so children can stay in the same classroom with the same teacher all year. 2. Improves Mental Health - Children living in households with "housing cost burden" (where parents spend more than 30% of their income on rent) often experience higher levels of anxiety and toxic stress. By streamlining affordable housing, this bill helps reduce the financial strain on parents, creating a more peaceful and secure home environment for kids. 3. Ensures Quality Environments: By consolidating housing programs into a new Division of Housing, the state can better monitor the quality and safety of affordable units. This helps ensure that low-income children aren't living in substandard housing that could lead to health issues like asthma or lead exposure. The Utah PTA should follow this bill as it aligns with their core belief that a child cannot learn if their basic needs are not met. Housing is a student issue. When we stabilize where a child lives, we stabilize their education. By supporting affordable housing, we are supporting higher graduation rates and better mental health for every child in Utah.

Commission:

Community Engagement

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

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; Prioritizing the needs of all children and youth, while adhering to fiscal responsibility in government.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

Endorse legislative action and evidence-based efforts to improve the health and well-being of children in Utah

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

National PTA supports the right to a free quality public education, adequate food and shelter, and basic health care services for all children.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

PTA Calls on Congress and the Administration to Help Schools Create a Welcoming, Supportive and Inclusive Learning Environment for All Students. - National PTA recognizes that a "learning environment" is not just the school building; it includes the home.

HB68’s goal to streamline housing services ensures that families in crisis can access secure shelter faster.

Legislative Bills

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