Legislative Bills

SB0241S01 | Early Literacy

Description

General Description:

This bill establishes a framework of literacy interventions in kindergarten through grade 3 within the public education system.

Highlighted Provisions:

Bill asks for $15 million to increase interventions for K-3 Literacy. gives suggestions for other literacy helps K-3.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0241S01

Year:

2026

Status:

Senate/ to Governor

Last Action:

Mar 13, 2026

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA supports increasing resources to provide additional interventions for K-3 literacy. However, PTA is not in favor of requirements to retain students. This should be decided in consultation with parents and teachers on an individual basis.

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2019-2 | Support for Quality Literacy Education

Impact on Children:

This will help our children increase their ability to read and be more successful in their lives.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage the Governor and the State Legislature to continue funding early literacy efforts in Utah and making literacy a priority for all Utah students.

SB0242 | Alternative Education Tax Credit Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill enacts a refundable tax credit for certain education expenses.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:
enacts a one-time refundable tax credit that an individual may claim for a dependent's education expenses resulting from disenrollment in public education and enrollment in private education or home school.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0242

Year:

2021

Status:

Senate/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 05, 2021

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2010-2 | Education Funding (retired)

Impact on Children:

This bill diverts tax dollars from the education fund creating less funding for public education programs.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA oppose vouchers, tax credits and deductions and other similar funding sources for public and private preschool, elementary and secondary school tuition and other education-related expenses for students.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

Support education legislation which guarantees that public funds intended for the funding of the public education system not be allocated for private interests including vouchers, tax credits, or other means.

SB0244S01 | Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in Schools

Description

General Description:

This bill establishes requirements for cardiac emergency response plans in schools.

Highlighted Provisions:

Establishes requirements for AEDs and cardiac emergency training in schools

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0244S01

Year:

2026

Status:

Senate/ to Governor

Last Action:

Mar 11, 2026

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Impact on Children:

In 2024, there were almost 50 children in Utah who had a sudden cardiac event. AEDs remain important in saving lives when these events occur. This bill will establish the requirement for all Utah schools to have an AED

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

National PTA Resolution on AED: That National PTA and its constituent associations advocate for legislation that independently funds the placement of an FDA ‐ approved AED FDA‐approved AEDs in every school while providing immunity for ordinary negligence in acts or omissions resulting from the operation or maintenance of (AEDs).

SB0244S02 | Ethnic Studies Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill requires ethnic studies in public schools.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill:
▸ requires the State Board of Education to incorporate ethnic studies into the core standards for Utah public schools (core standards);
▸ requires a local education agency to:
• adopt ethnic studies instructional materials and curriculum that align with core standards; and
• integrate ethnic studies into regular school work for kindergarten through grade 12;
▸ creates the Ethnic Studies Commission (commission) to:
• study the contributions of ethnic minorities in Utah; and
• recommend to the state board how to incorporate ethnic studies into core standards;

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0244S02

Year:

2022

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 24, 2022

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA supports having standards that are more representative of the general population. This will benefit students in general and support minority students whose stories have been sometimes ignored or distorted to feel they are represented. However, Utah PTA recognizes that proposing these standards is under the purview of the Utah State Board of Education rather than the legislature.

Commission:

Community Engagement

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

Utah PTA Legislative Policy:

General Principles for Consideration of Proposed Legislation:

Equity in the form of equal justice, privileges, opportunities, and responsibilities in every phase of life for all children and youth, while recognizing that each child is unique with individual needs and talents.

National PTA and Utah PTA Position Statements:

National PTA Statement: Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Acknowledge and appreciate individual ideas, knowledge and values that are different from
our own.
Seek out and learn from a diverse set of perspectives, skills and experiences, staying open to the unfamiliar and possibly uncomfortable.

National PTA Position Statement: CITIZENSHIP AND EQUALITY
Educational programs designed to increase understanding of the U.S. Constitution and civil rights, civil liberties, and appreciation for those individuals who fought for them;

SB0248 | Child Care Expansion Act

Description

General Description:

This bill enacts the Employer-Based, State-Assisted Child Care Capacity Expansion Program to expand available high quality child care in the state.

Highlighted Provisions:

This bill would make unused government buildings available to be retrofitted for child care and give businesses access to lease them. It can be one business or a group of small businesses together.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0248

Year:

2026

Status:

Senate/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 06, 2026

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2022-1 | Child Care

Impact on Children:

This would provide more access to low cost child care.

Commission:

Family Life

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Resolved that Utah PTA encourage affected agencies to examine existing policies and create new policies which will better serve the needs of both children and parents;

SB0251S01 | Grow Your Own Teacher and School Counselor Pipeline Program

Description

General Description:

This bill makes changes to the Grow Your Own Teacher and School Counselor Pipeline Program.

Highlighted Provisions:

"14 ▸ permits a local education agency to select certain teachers as candidates for a
15 scholarship award through the Grow Your Own Teacher and School Counselor
16 Pipeline Program (program);
17 ▸ allows scholarship money awarded through the program to be used for stipends for
18 school counselor assistants"

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0251S01

Year:

2022

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 24, 2022

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Pending

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2017-2 | Support for Counselors, Psychologists, and Social Workers in Schools

Impact on Children:

This bill will help fill the tremendous shortfall in the number of available school counselors by making a pathway for districts to be able to "grow their own" school counselors.

Commission:

Health

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent associations actively advocate for increased funding for additional trained counselors, psychologists, and social workers to assist and educate families and youth in both elementary and secondary schools participating in the public school system.

Utah PTA Legislative Priorities:

4. Support the continued development of educator career pathways programs including pathways for counselor, psychologist and social workers. Support incentives & programs to increase the number of counselors, psychologists and social workers for greater access for our students.

SB0253 | Library Materials Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill enacts provisions related to requirements in a public school library.

Highlighted Provisions:

Bill requires a local education agency (LEA) to adopt a policy that governs practices related to library development; collection of library instructional material; and reconsideration of library instructional materials

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0253

Year:

2026

Status:

Senate/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 06, 2026

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

EDU 2021-2 | Teacher Librarians and School Library Media Programs

Impact on Children:

Literacy is a critical component to student's academic success. Districts should have policies that outline how they develop and curate library materials so that students' literacy can be increased while also protecting them from inappropriate materials.

Commission:

Education

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Utah PTA and its constituent associations encourage local school boards to meet Utah State Board of Education standards for high quality library media center staffing, programs, resources, and facilities.

SB0258S01 | Upstart Program Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill amends and enacts provisions of the UPSTART program.

Highlighted Provisions:

UPSTART PROGRAM AMENDMENTS

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0258S01

Year:

2023

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 17, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Oppose w/ Comment

Utah PTA believes that Early Childhood programs should stay under the management of an educational entity and keep high standards in learning and assessment.

Utah PTA Resolution:

FAM 2009-1 | Early Childhood

Impact on Children:

Experiences in early childhood determine whether a child’s developing brain architecture provides a strong foundation for future learning, behavior, and health. Excellent education in early childhood set the child on a path of success.

Commission:

Family Life

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies educate parents on the importance of quality early childhood learning experiences; and be it further

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies work collaboratively with existing early childhood programs to better coordinate services; and be it further

Resolved, That Utah PTA and its constituent bodies advocate for policies and funding to improve early childhood services throughout the state

SB0260 | School Events Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill directs the State Board of Education to make rules clarifying that school principals and local education agency administration have authority to remove a spectator or participant from a school-sponsored activity for certain disruptive behavior under certain circumstances.

Highlighted Provisions:

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0260

Year:

2024

Status:

Senate/ filed

Last Action:

Mar 01, 2024

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

SAF 2022-1 | Safe School Policies

Impact on Children:

Poor behavior by spectators at school sporting events has been an increasing problem. Principals and school personnel need additional tools to manage the behavior of spectators. All community members should work together to provide a safe environment for our students.

Commission:

Education

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

SB0263S02 | Electronic Cigarette and Other Nicotine Product Tax Amendments

Description

General Description:

This bill modifies tax provisions in the Electronic Cigarette and Nicotine Product Taxation and Licensing Act.

Highlighted Provisions:

requires the State Tax Commission to:
• increase enforcement of the collection of the electronic cigarette and nicotine product tax;
• conduct a study on enforcement and collection of the electronic cigarette and nicotine product tax; and
• report the State Tax Commission's findings and recommendations to the Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee.

Bill Details

Bill Number:

SB0263S02

Year:

2023

Status:

Governor Signed

Last Action:

Mar 23, 2023

Fiscal Note

Fiscal Note Amount:

None

View Fiscal Note

Utah PTA Response

Utah PTA Position

Support

Utah PTA Resolution:

HEA 2015-2 | Electronic Cigarettes and Utah Youth

Impact on Children:

It will hopefully improve the enforcement of e-cigarette laws, and help with the collection of the e-cigarette tax. In turn, that will help to fund positive behavior programs, etc., that are to be paid for with those $$$.

Commission:

Advocacy Conference

Utah PTA Public Policy Program

National PTA and Utah PTA Resolutions:

Support state and local ordinances that appropriately address regulations of ENDS products; and...support the position that any revenue generated through taxation of ENDS should support tobacco cessation and prevention programs

Legislative Bills

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