Legislative Bills

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SB0053 | Behavioral Emergency Services Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill enacts requirements and provisions relating to behavioral emergency services technicians.

Highlighted Provisions: 

This bill:
▸ defines terms;
▸ creates a new license for behavioral emergency services technicians and advanced behavioral emergency services technicians;
▸ requires the Utah Department of Health to administer the license, including setting initial and ongoing licensure and training requirements;
▸ enacts provisions relating to the new license for behavioral emergency services technicians, including certain testimonial exceptions

Bill Details
Year: 
2021
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 16, 2021
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 12
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Families dealing with a mental health crisis do not necessarily need a policemen, EMT or a firefighter, they need a first responder who understands the unique circumstances of someone dealing with a mental health or other behavioral emergency. Paramedics are increasingly expected to respond to behavioral health crises but may not be adequately prepared to do so. This new license program will ensure that families with behavioral and mental health needs will get the emergency treatment they need.

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

Resolved, That Utah PTA support prevention and intervention initiatives and appropriate state funding for:
(1) collaborative efforts between the home, school, private physicians, and community
resource agencies to create support networks for families,
(2) developing uniform methods for screening and referral,
(3) increasing the number of school psychologists and social workers, and
(4) improving training of primary care physicians in mental illness assessment and
treatment;

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,

SB0055S01 | Public School Instructional Material Requirements

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses requirements related to the approval of materials for classroom use and certain policies.

Highlighted Provisions: 

15 ▸ requires a process for a local school board or charter school governing board to
16 follow if the board chooses to adopt or approve instructional materials for
17 classroom use across the school district or charter school;
18 ▸ requires local school boards and charter school governing boards to adopt policies
19 to provide guidance to educators on the use of certain learning materials that have
20 not been adopted or approved under the open process;
21 ▸ requires that contracts for online or digital learning materials include a requirement
22 for notice if the provider changes the content of the materials

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 17, 2023
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 17
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Having transparency (via an open process) in instructional materials across the LEA with the parents is desirable. So is having a policy giving flexible guidance to educators on the selection of supplemental materials.

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

That Utah PTA advocate for policies that strengthen respect and support for public education and the teaching profession;
 

SB0056S03 | Child Welfare Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends provisions of the Utah Juvenile Code related to child welfare.

Highlighted Provisions: 

Substitute: changes to when a child is removed from the home the former foster parents are notified

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 15, 2023
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 16
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

Children benefit from stability and continuity of care within the foster care system.

Commission: 
Family Life
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; and be it furtherResolved,That Utah PTA encourage programs that would promote community support and awareness for the foster care family; and be it further

SB0057S02 | Sexual Abuse Material Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill addresses the reproduction and possession of sexual abuse material.

Highlighted Provisions: 

12 ▸ prohibits the reproduction of child pornography evidence;
13 ▸ allows the defendant or victim to inspect child pornography evidence at a
14 government facility before trial;

Bill Details
Year: 
2023
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 14, 2023
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 2
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Support
Impact on Children: 

This bill will protect children that are victims of child pornography by not allowing for the reproduction of child pornography evidence.

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: 

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

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

Advocate by speaking on behalf of all children and youth in schools, in the community, before governmental bodies, and before other organizations that make decisions affecting children.

SB0057S02 | Child Abuse Amendments

Description
General Description: 

This bill amends definitions related to civil child abuse and child neglect.

Bill Details
Year: 
2019
Status: 
Governor Signed
Last Action: 
Mar 25, 2019
Sponsor
Senator
Republican - District 23
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note Amount: 
$0
None
Utah PTA Response
Utah PTA Position
Pending
Impact on Children: 

Child abuse and neglect constitute a grave health, emotional, and social problem, and children must be protected from all forms of abuse, neglect, maltreatment, and exploitation;

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.