Legislative Bills

HB0339 | School Community Council Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill grants the State Board of Education certain rulemaking authority regarding school community councils for which there are insufficient members to fill certain positions.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill grants the State Board of Education certain rulemaking authority regarding school community councils for which there are insufficient members to fill certain positions.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0339

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:

EDU 2015-1 | School Trust Lands (retired)

Impact on Children:

This bill creates a mechanism for USBE to make allowance for schools that cannot fill positions on their School Community Council. Without a functioning SCC, schools should not be given their Trust Land funds. This will allow USBE to work with the school and find a way to resolve the issue.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved That Utah PTA encourage the Utah State Legislature to support all distributions from the permanent State School Fund being dispersed to each K-12 public school to improve student academic performance.

HB0340 | School Absenteeism and Truancy Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions related to truancy.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0340

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

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2014-2 | Chronic Absenteeism (retired)

Impact on Children:

Studies showing best practices indicate that parents and community who work together to promote good attendance; ... and provide early identification programs have a positive affect on school attendance. This Bill attempts to create a uniform standard in the specific case of truancy. This will help eliminate confusion among districts on what is an absence in regards to counting toward truancy and will better support students in the context of restorative practices and who should be referred in regards to truancy issues.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved, That Utah PTA urge the Utah State Board of Education to adopt policies for early identification of students who are chronically absent; provide targeted prevention, positive support, and outreach strategies and services which include parents and families that address chronic absenteeism; and develop community-wide awareness strategies;

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT OF CHILDREN
Support the use of positive behavioral interventions and support (PBIS) models in schools instead of exclusionary discipline policies

HB0340 | Mathematics and Science Opportunities for Students and Teachers Program

Description

General Description:

This bill reinstates the Math and Science Opportunities for Students and Teachers Program.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill reinstates the Math and Science Opportunities for Students and Teachers (MOST)
Program, and addresses the duties and authority of the State Board of Education related to the funding of the MOST Program and associated grants;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0340

Year:

2021

Status:

House/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 05, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

$4,000,000

This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2022: to the State Board of Education - Minimum School Program - Related to Basic School Programs, as an ongoing appropriation: from the Education Fund, $3,900,000; and to the State Board of Education - MSP Categorical Program Administration, as an ongoing appropriation: from the Education Fund, $100,000.

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2011-1 | Excellence in Teaching

Impact on Children:

This bill establishes a grant program for LEAs to increase opportunities for supporting math and science teachers in their instructional delivery. It would increase compensation for math and science teachers by providing opportunities for an expanded contract year. This would provide more opportunities for students in math and science and would also enhance a LEAs' ability to attract and retain talented and highly qualified math and science teachers;

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved: That Utah PTA support adequate funding for and encourage consideration of financial incentives to recruit and retain highly qualified and effective educators, including appropriation of adequate funding to upgrade salary schedules;

HB0341S01 | School Closure Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends processes for school closures or school boundary changes.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill amends processes for school closures or school boundary changes.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0341S01

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

Local Issue

Impact on Children:

This bill delineates processes local school boards will have to follow to make boundary changes or to close a school. Some of the processes are contradictory and will make it difficult for local school boards to have up to date information on the school. Will also make the changes more costly by requiring parental notification to be done by USPS.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

General Principles for Consideration of Proposed Legislation: Maximum local control when it serves the best interest of all children and youth

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

EDUCATION. Support an adequately funded public school system by funding an 8% WPU increase over and above growth and inflation; implement policies to increase proficiency levels by improving attendance, reducing class sizes, and supporting teachers; increase academic excellence for all Utah students; and prioritize local control to LEAs and individual schools.

HB0342 | Behavioral Health Services Access Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill addresses access to behavioral health resources and services.

Highlighted Provisions:

Creates a website for behavioral health resources and services, renames commission and will have them find out the needs of the public and how people will access services no matter their level of being insured.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0342

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:

EDU 2021-1 | Education Funding (retired)

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

Impact on Children:

Mental health is a growing concern for students and parents, this bill will help connect people in need with the resources that can help them.

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

HB0343 | School Emergency Drills Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill makes changes to emergency evacuation drill requirements for certain educational facilities during the 2021-2022 school year.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill requires the State Board of Education to, for a portion of the 2021-2022 school year, make rules for:
• conducting monthly emergency evacuation drills; and
• providing age-appropriate emergency evacuation instruction in lieu of
conducting emergency evacuation drills; and requires Group E occupancies
to conduct monthly emergency evacuation drills for
the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0343

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 2018-1 | Emergency Preparedness

Impact on Children:

This bill is a follow-up bill to 2020 HB 6004. It allows schools to substitute other types of instruction for the monthly mandatory drills

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations work with Utah schools to educate and train students, parents, staff and first responders on their school’s emergency preparedness and response plan by facilitating drills and exercises including evacuation, lockdown, shelter-in place and reunification;

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.
COMMITMENT: We are dedicated to children’s educational success, health, and well-being through strong family and community engagement, while remaining accountable to the principles upon which our association was founded.

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,

HB0344S01 | Sex Offender Restrictions Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill provides additional restrictions on individuals who must register as a sex offender.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0344S01

Year:

2020

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 28, 2020

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

This bill provides that a sex offender may not instruct, supervise, or care for a minor in a professional capacity; accept a minor into the sex offender's home; or serve as a coach, manager, or trainer of a minor

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2009-2 | Child Abuse and Neglect

Impact on Children:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations advocate for adequate laws to protect children in all areas of child abuse, neglect, maltreatment, and exploitation.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Utah PTA and its constituent associations will support evidence based programs to decrease risk factors and increase protective factors in our homes, schools and communities; and be it further Resolved, Utah PTA and its constituent associations will support legislation and measures that will promote healthy behaviors with our youth

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

High standards for those who work in all areas concerned with children and youth.

Coordination and planning by all agencies with clear definition of responsibility at each level of government.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

4. Support safe practices and environments for all children.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

That National PTA and its constituent associations collaborate with school administrations, institutions of higher learning, and community partners to ensure that every school:

Provides support services for victims of sexual harassment and sexual violence,

Links

RESPONSE TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE AFFECTING STUDENTS

HB0344S01 | Local Policies for Course Content Transparency

Description

General Description:

This bill requires local education agency governing boards to establish student instruction transparency policies that include certain determinations.

Highlighted Provisions:

"the bill requires LEAs to establish a "Content Transparency Policy"
Each local governing board shall establish a policy regarding the content and method of student instruction that:
(a) generally promotes transparency to parents and students"

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0344S01

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

Local Issue

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2011-1 | Excellence in Teaching

Impact on Children:

The "Content Transparency Policy" requirements in HB344 bill dives deep in the content,
method of student instruction, the pedagogical methodology of delivering, and updates to methods of providing any required course content updates. By being prescriptive, it diminishes the trust that is placed in teachers and does not help students achieve.

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

HB0344 | Student Asthma Relief Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill enacts provisions governing the administration of stock albuterol by certain entities to an individual.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0344

Year:

2019

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 25, 2019

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 1996-1 | School Health and First Aid Preparedness (retired)

Impact on Children:

Will help children with asthma to get needed help in a timely matter.

Commission:

Health

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

*Resolved, That Utah PTA encourage school districts to educate local schools regarding district policy for Universal Precautions in first aid care and encourage local units to assist in acquiring appropriate supplies and training for all school personnel.

HB0345S02 | School Resource Officers Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends provisions relating to a local education agency's ability to contract with a law enforcement agency for school resource officer services.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill places conditions on the ability of a local education agency (LEA) to contract with a
law enforcement agency for school resource officer services, including requiring:
• that the contract procure services in secondary schools;
• governing board review of the contract;
• the collection of certain information by the LEA; and
• a biennial review of certain policies and information

Bill Details

Bill Number:

HB0345S02

Year:

2021

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 17, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Local Issue

Impact on Children:

National PTA Position Statement: Addressing Institutional or Systemic Racism
We recognize that action at the local level has a direct impact on our communities. Local advocacy should focus on issues such as disparate discipline; equitable education for immigrant children; recruitment and retention of Black and Brown teachers; housing development policies; access to healthcare; juvenile and criminal justice; and other such issues which are relevant to local schools, communities and states. We will work to ensure more comprehensive guidelines and training are required on the use of force by school resource officers, other law enforcement officers and security personnel.

Commission:

Safety

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

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.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

National PTA Position Statement: ADDRESSING INSTITUTIONAL OR SYSTEMIC RACISM
Institutional racism is racism embedded as a routine practice within society or an organization, cumulatively and disparately impacting historically disadvantaged peoples.

Ongoing institutional racism and deeply embedded injustices, prejudices and inequities in the fabric of our nation have caused the violent deaths of innocent Black and Brown men, women and children over the years at the hands of a percentage of police officers and ordinary citizens.

National PTA Public Policy Agenda

PTA Calls on Congress and the Administration to Meaningfully Incorporate Policies that Promote Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Practices in Schools for All Students. PTA firmly believes that all students—including students from historically marginalized populations—have the right to a quality, equitable education in a safe, supportive and inclusive school.

PTA believes that the education system should engage in rigorous self-examination to identify and eliminate practices and policies which are systemically racist. PTA supports policies and legislation that ensure equity for every student, are grounded in social justice and support the whole child and family. Policies and legislation must:
✓ Encourage schools to use positive behavioral interventions and supports that are effective, fair and consistently implemented. Such practices may include restorative justice and trauma-informed care.

Legislative Bills

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