SCHOOL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
This bill addresses school safety and security issues.
▸ creates a state security chief position within the Department of Public Safety;
▸ requires each county sheriff to identify an individual within the sheriff's office to
coordinate between the county sheriff's office, the state security chief, and certain
police chiefs within the county;
▸ 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 the board to issue a request for proposals for firearm detection software and
allows an LEA to enter into a contract to use the software;
▸ provides for the board to administer a grant program for certain school safety and
security services and materials;
▸ requires every public primary and secondary school to conduct a threat assessment
and designate a school safety specialist;
▸ modifies certain contracts concerning school resource officers, including the
handling of certain student offenses;
▸ creates requirements for policies concerning school resource officers;
▸ adds components to the board's model critical response training program

EDUCATION PROCUREMENT AMENDMENTS
This bill makes changes to procurement provisions for the public education system.
▸ makes changes to procurement provisions for school districts, public schools, and
the State Board of Education;
▸ makes technical and conforming changes.

SCHOOL FEES AMENDMENTS
This bill amends and enacts provisions related to elementary and secondary school fees.
▸ prescribes the fees a local education agency (LEA) may charge a secondary school
student for a curricular or a co-curricular activity for a certain duration;
▸ authorizes an LEA to charge a secondary school student a fee for an extracurricular
activity for a certain duration;
▸ prohibits an LEA from charging a general fee;
▸ amends provisions related to fees for textbooks;
▸ prohibits charging a student in grade 6 a fee for a remediation program;

JUVENILE JUSTICE REVISIONS
This bill amends provisions related to juvenile justice.
▸ requires the State Board of Education to provide a report on certain law
enforcement and disciplinary actions on school grounds to the State Commission on
Criminal and Juvenile Justice;
▸ creates a juvenile gang and other violent crime prevention and intervention program
to be administered by the State Board of Education;
▸ modifies requirements related to referrals for offenses committed by minors on
school property;
▸ requires a school to develop a reintegration plan for a minor alleged to have
committed a violent felony offense or a weapons offense;
▸ amends the requirements for the criminal justice database;
▸ removes a repeal date relating to referrals for offenses committed by minors on
school property;
▸ modifies the duties of the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice in
regards to juvenile justice;
▸ makes it a crime for a minor to possess a machinegun firearm attachment;
▸ modifies the notification requirements to schools regarding a minor who committed,
or is alleged to have committed, a violent felony offense or a weapons offense;
▸ enacts data collection and reporting requirements for the State Commission on
Criminal and Juvenile Justice and the Administrative Office of the Courts in regards
to offenses committed, or allegedly committed, by minors;
▸ clarifies provisions relating to a nonjudicial adjustment;
▸ modifies the eligibility requirements for a nonjudicial adjustment;

LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENDUM AMENDMENTS
This bill addresses actions of a local school district that may be subject to a referendum.
▸ provides that a new tax or a tax increase passed by a local school board may be
referred to voters for their approval or rejection; and

STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AMENDMENTS
This bill amends provisions of public education student mental health screening.
▸ defines "non-participating LEA" (non-participating local education agency);
▸ requires an LEA to determine whether the LEA will be a participating or
non-participating LEA;
▸ requires a non-participating LEA to report each year whether the LEA will change
or maintain the LEA's participation status;
▸ amends participating LEA mental health screening and parental notification
requirements;
▸ amends the annual mental health screening report requirements for the State Board
of Education; and
▸ amends the uses for which an LEA may use State Board of Education funds and
when the board may distribute those funds.

PARENT AND STUDENT RIGHTS AND SCHOOL SAFETY AMENDMENTS
This bill amends requirements for a local education agency (LEA) to address bullying
incidents.
▸ clarifies that a school may share certain information regarding an incident of
bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, abusive conduct, or retaliation with a parent upon
request;
▸ requires a school to provide regular communication updates to a parent regarding
the implementation of an action plan to address an incident of bullying,
cyber-bullying, hazing, abusive conduct, or retaliation;
▸ requires an LEA to designate an individual for bullying incident response and
outlines the individual's duties;
▸ requires civil rights law training for LEA employees;

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS AMENDMENTS
This bill prohibits a public school from participation in an athletics association in
certain circumstances.
▸ prohibits a public school from participation in an athletics association that does not
collect and review an athlete's birth certificate or other identifying documents during the
registration process.

SCHOOL MATERIALS AMENDMENTS
This bill amends provisions regarding student access to pornographic or indecent
materials within the public education system.
▸ requires local education agencies (LEAs) to:
• engage in certain review processes when a parent communicates an allegation
that an instructional material is prohibited by state law; and
• publicly vote on and explain a determination to reinstate or preserve student
access to challenged instructional material;
▸ establishes the precedential effect of LEA and state board determinations;
▸ requires the State Board of Education (state board) to:
• review LEA determinations regarding certain sensitive material; and
• make rules, including to establish an age-appropriateness rating system for
instructional materials;
▸ amends a state board reporting requirement

FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN AMENDMENTS
This bill makes full-day kindergarten available for all local education agencies with an
option for half-day kindergarten.
▸ amends provisions related to scholarship amounts tied to the length of a
kindergarten class;
▸ amends funding formulas related to kindergarten to reflect a full-day length of a
kindergarten class;
▸ requires local education agency governing boards to provide an optional half-day
kindergarten class upon request;
▸ amends provisions regarding a requirement for a kindergarten assessment;
▸ repeals an optional expanded kindergarten program

EDUCATOR EVALUATION PILOT PROGRAM
This bill allows the State Board of Education to create a pilot program as an alternative
to annual educator evaluations.
▸ allows the State Board of Education (state board) to create a pilot program as an
alternative to annual educator evaluations;
▸ repeals a requirement for the state board to report on educator ratings;
▸ amends a provision regarding a teacher receiving the educator salary adjustment
based on the educator's evaluation; and
▸ makes technical and conforming changes.

BLOCK GRANT FUNDING FOR PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION
This bill establishes block grant funding for the implementation of comprehensive
prevention programs in local education agencies.
▸ establishes block grant funding for the implementation of comprehensive prevention
programs in local education agencies (LEAs);
▸ requires the State Board of Education (State Board) to:
• make rules to establish and administer the grant application process; and
• provide LEAs with certain resources and support;
▸ provides for the allowable uses of the block grant funding;
▸ allows LEAs to:
• choose to implement a comprehensive prevention plan with block grant funding
or implement individual prevention plans with existing funding restrictions; and
• submit one comprehensive report instead of individually required reports if the
LEA implements a comprehensive prevention plan;
▸ amends existing prevention programs to accommodate the opportunity for block
grant funding;
▸ authorizes the use of certain excess funds in the Underage Drinking and Substance
Abuse Prevention Program Restricted Account for distribution through block grant
funding.

UTAH PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES ADVISORY COMMISSION SUNSET EXTENSION
This bill extends the repeal date for the Utah Professional Practices AdvisoryCommission.
▸ extends the repeal date for the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission.

OPEN AND PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT AMENDMENTS
This bill modifies the Open and Public Meetings Act relating to public comment
requirements and electronic meetings for certain public bodies.
▸ requires a local school board holding an open meeting to allow a reasonable
opportunity for the public to provide verbal comments at the meeting, subject to
certain exceptions;
▸ requires a local school board to adopt a written policy allowing public comment in a
public meeting;
▸ permits a public body of a local district or special service district to convene and
conduct an electronic meeting in certain circumstances

GOVERNMENT RECORDS ACCESS AMENDMENTS
This bill modifies provisions of the Government Records Access and Management Act
related to records on a personal electronic device.
▸ modifies the definition of "record" and enacts a definition of "personal electronic
device" for purposes of the Government Records Access and Management Act;
▸ provides a process for searching the personal electronic device of an officer or
employee of a governmental entity for records that are responsive to a record
request;
▸ provides criminal penalties for an officer or employee who refuses to conduct a
search or who submits a materially false sworn declaration;
▸ modifies a provision allowing a governmental entity to impose disciplinary action
against an employee; and

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER AMENDMENTS
This bill addresses funding and policy for English language learner
instructional materials and support.
▸ requires the State Board of Education (state board) to allocate funding to local
education agencies for instructional materials and licenses used for English
language learner instruction and support; and
▸ requires the state board to provide to the Education Interim Committee a funding
projection for annual and one-time costs associated with English language learner
support.

TEACHER PARENTAL AND POSTPARTUM RECOVERY LEAVE
This bill requires local education agencies to provide paid parental and postpartum
recovery leave to employees of a local education agency and establish a leave sharing
mechanism.
▸ requires local education agencies to:
• provide certain paid leave to general and special education teachers that is at a
minimum equivalent to leave provided to state employees;
• establish a leave sharing mechanism;
• establish certain leave policies, including the establishment of a leave sharing
mechanism; and
• provide certain notice to qualified employees.

UNIVERSITY RECOGNITION FOR INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE ACHIEVEMENT
This bill enacts and amends provisions related to credit for prior learning in higher
education.
▸ amends the Utah Board of Higher Education's (board) requirement for acceptance of
credit for prior learning;
▸ requires institutions to award credit for International Baccalaureate programme
subject scores under certain circumstances;
▸ requires the board to consult with the Utah Association of IB World Schools and
school International Baccalaureate program coordinators to develop policies
regarding standards for awarding International Baccalaureate programme credits;

LABOR UNION AMENDMENTS
This bill amends provisions governing public employers and labor organizations.
▸ prohibits a public employer from deducting union dues from a public employee's
wages, except in certain circumstances;
▸ prohibits using public money or public property to assist, promote, or deter union
organizing or administration;
▸ prohibits a public employer from compensating a public employee for union
activities;
▸ requires a labor organization to provide the number of members in the labor
organization upon request of a public employer;

EDUCATION RELATED AMENDMENTS
This bill addresses parental engagement in the education arena.
▸ addresses a parent's access to and submission of education records;
▸ grants rulemaking authority;
▸ directs the state board to create record tracking interoperability for education
records in the information management system under certain circumstances;
▸ requires the state board to create a parent portal that provides information outlined
in statute, including school comparison information;
▸ requires notification of the parent portal;
▸ provides for the appointment of a parent engagement specialist, including providing
for the specialist's duties

SCHOOL CELLPHONE USAGE AMENDMENTS
This bill addresses the use of cellphones and smart watches in classrooms.
▸ subject to certain exceptions, prohibits a student from possessing a cellphone or
smart watch in a classroom; and
▸ requires a local education agency (LEA) to enforce the provisions of this bill, in the
manner determined by the LEA.

EDUCATOR SALARIES ADJUSTMENTS INCREASE
This bill provides an increase to the educator salary adjustment.
▸ amends provisions to codify and increase the amount of the state-provided educator
salary adjustment;

STATE TRUST LANDS ADMINISTRATION AMENDMENTS
This bill modifies the administration of state trust lands.
▸ creates rulemaking authority for the sale, exchange, lease, or other disposition or
conveyance of trust lands;
▸ adds criteria for the sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of trust lands; and
▸ makes technical changes.

LICENSED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGICAL PRACTITIONER AMENDMENTS
This bill enacts provisions relating to the licensure of a licensed school psychological
practitioner.
▸ creates a new license category under the Psychologist Licensing Act for a licensed
school psychological practitioner;
▸ defines the scope of practice for a licensed school psychological practitioner; and
▸ specifies the requirements to receive a license as a licensed school psychological
practitioner.

EDUCATOR LICENSE AMENDMENTS
This bill addresses the licensing of educators by the State Board of Education.
▸ allows individuals who complete certain educator training programs, without
receiving a bachelor's degree, to obtain an educator license from the State Board of
Education;
▸ requires the State Board of Education to establish licensing standards for educator
training programs

CHILD ABUSER EDUCATION RESTRICTIONS
This bill prohibits an individual who has committed child abuse from the exempting the
individual's child from required school attendance.
▸ prohibits an individual who has committed child abuse from exempting the
individual's child from required school attendance; and
▸ makes technical and conforming changes.

SCHOOL COMMUNITY COUNCIL AMENDMENTS
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.
▸ grants the State Board of Education certain rulemaking authority regarding school
community councils for which there are insufficient members to fill certain
positions.

PRIME PILOT PROGRAM AMENDMENTS
This bill amends the PRIME Pilot Program.
▸ changes the PRIME Pilot Program to an ongoing program;
▸ clarifies the types of courses required for a student to earn the LAUNCH certificate
or TRANSFORM certificate;
▸ requires the Utah Board of Higher Education to award a scholarship to a student
who earns the TRANSFORM general education certificate;
▸ requires the state board to create a funding formula for LEAs that participate in the
program

HEALTH EDUCATION AMENDMENTS
This bill amends provisions related to health education.
▸ requires the State Board of Education to establish curriculum requirements that
include instruction in:
• sexual assault resource strategies;
• sexual violence behavior prevention; and
• the legal implications of electronically distributing sexually explicit images;
▸ amends provisions related to when a student receives health education instruction;
▸ requires a local education agency (LEA) to:
• review data, including data on sexual assault, for each county in which the LEA
is located;
• use the reviewed data to inform the LEA's policies on health education; and
• as appropriate, incorporate the data into health education

PARTICIPATION WAIVER AMENDMENTS
This bill clarifies how a school responds when a student refrains from participation in
school due to a student's or a student's parent's religious belief or right of conscience.
▸ clarifies how a school responds when a student refrains from participation in school
due to a student's or a student's parent's religious belief or right of conscience,
consistent with Utah Constitution, Article I, Section 4;
▸ grants the State Board of Education rulemaking authority; and
▸ makes technical and conforming changes.

SUMMER EDUCATION GRANTS
This bill establishes a grant program for summer school days and other educational
summer programs.
▸ establishes a grant program for summer school days and other educational summer
programs; and
▸ requires the State Board of Education to:
• award grants to qualifying local education agencies to meet measurable goals;
and
• make rules regarding the administration and measurement of the grant program.

HOLD HARMLESS FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION ENROLLMENT DECLINE
This bill contingently provides additional funding for the Minimum School Program in
certain fiscal years.
▸ contingently provides additional funding for the Minimum School Program in
certain fiscal years;
▸ subjects the provision of additional funding to a sunset review by a legislative
committee; and
▸ makes technical and conforming changes.

SPECIAL NEEDS OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AMENDMENTS
This bill amends provisions related to the Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship Program
▸ expands the expenses for which a scholarship recipient may use a scholarship
award;
▸ amends the formula for calculating a scholarship amount for an eligible student;
▸ allows a scholarship granting organization to prorate a scholarship award under
certain circumstances;
▸ increases the amount of donations a scholarship granting organization may carry
forward in a fiscal year

SCHOOL ABSENTEEISM AMENDMENTS
This bill enacts provisions relating to school absenteeism and student behavior.
▸ directs local education agencies to include certain evidence-based strategies for
children as part of their efforts to reduce student absenteeism;
▸ enacts new duties for the State Board of Education with respect to addressing
chronic absenteeism prevention and intervention; and
▸ amends the responsibilities of the Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services
to require the use of evidence-informed and research-informed interventions.

JUVENILE INTERROGATION MODIFICATIONS
This bill addresses the interrogation of a child.
▸ addresses the presence of a parent, guardian, or friendly adult in the interrogation of
a child;
▸ requires a law enforcement agency to make an audio or visual recording of an
interrogation of a child;
▸ addresses admissibility of a recorded or unrecorded custodial interrogation of a
child;

SCHOOL BUS OWNER REQUIREMENTS
This bill amends a provision related to exceptions for an owner's or operator's security
requirement.
▸ amends an exception to an owner's and operator's security requirement to include
organizations in a local education agency (LEA)

SCHOOL LAND TRUST PROGRAM AMENDMENTS
This bill modifies the percentage of revenue from trust lands that is distributed from the
Land Grant Management Fund.
▸ modifies the percentage of revenue from trust lands that is distributed from the Land
Grant Management Fund.

INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM IN PUBLIC EDUCATION
This bill ensures that all instructional materials and classroom instruction are consistent
with the principles of inalienable rights, equal opportunity, and individual merit.
▸ broadens a provision regarding prayer or religious devotionals;
▸ requires the State Board of Education (state board), local education agencies
(LEAs), and staff to ensure that instructional materials and classroom instruction are
consistent with certain principles;
▸ prohibits the state board, LEAs, and staff from:
• allowing the use of instructional materials and classroom instruction that are
inconsistent with certain principles; or
• adopting policies that are inconsistent with certain principles;
▸ prohibits the state board and the State Instructional Materials Commission from
recommending instructional materials that are inconsistent with certain principles;

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MODIFICATIONS
This bill requires the State Board of Education to submit to the Education Interim
Committee recommendations for a new public education vision and mission.
▸ requires the State Board of Education to submit to the Education Interim Committee
recommendations for a new public education vision and mission.

STATE ENTITY RESTRICTIONS
This bill prohibits the use of certain statements or materials by a state entity to
determine employment, admission, or other benefits, and the use of certain specialized
services.
▸ prohibits the use of a prohibited submission in determining employment, admission,
or other benefits; and
▸ creates limited exceptions to the prohibition in this bill.

GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY AMENDMENTS
This bill modifies provisions related to governmental immunity.
▸ modifies the requirements for causation in relation to waiving a local education
agency's governmental immunity for sexual battery or abuse committed by an
employee against a student;
▸ removes a local education agency's immunity from suit if the local education agency
has failed to provide ongoing supervision of employees for compliance with a code
of conduct; and
▸ requires a local education agency to pay any attorney fees and court costs incurred
by an injured student if immunity is waived.

PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARY TRANSPARENCY AMENDMENTS
This bill addresses transparency regarding materials accessible to students in public
school libraries.
▸ requires local education agencies that provide school libraries to provide an online
platform that allows a parent to view information regarding materials the parent's
child borrows from the school library

EDUCATOR EVALUATION PILOT PROGRAM
This bill allows the State Board of Education to create a pilot program as an alternative
to annual educator evaluations.
▸ allows the State Board of Education (state board) to create a pilot program as an
alternative to annual educator evaluations;
▸ repeals a requirement for the state board to report on educator ratings;
▸ amends a provision regarding a teacher receiving the educator salary adjustment
based on the educator's evaluation

FIREARM SAFETY AND SUICIDE PREVENTION EDUCATION
This bill modifies the suicide prevention information a school is required to provide a
parent in certain circumstances.
▸ requires a school to provide suicide prevention materials and information, including
information on firearm safety, to a parent of a child who has threatened suicide or
has been involved in an incident of bullying or other abusive conduct

PUBLIC EDUCATION EMPLOYEE AMENDMENTS
This bill provides for the appointment of a public education employee ombudsman.
▸ requires the State Board of Education to appoint a public education employee
ombudsman (ombudsman);
▸ requires the ombudsman to provide training and information to public education
employees on employment issues;
▸ requires the ombudsman to develop a website for public education employees; and
▸ requires the ombudsman to report annually to the Legislature.

EDUCATOR PAID PROFESSIONAL HOURS
This bill amends provisions regarding additional paid professional hours that may be
available to educators.
▸ amends provisions regarding a paid professional hours plan that educators submit;
▸ clarifies the availability of paid professional hours to educators that begin
employment during the school year on a prorated basis; and
▸ makes technical and conforming changes.

EDUCATION REPORTING AMENDMENTS
This bill repeals requirements regarding the disposal of textbooks.
▸ amends a reporting requirement for the Digital Teaching and Learning Grant
Program; and
▸ repeals a section that requires:
• local education agencies to notify all other local education agencies before
disposing of undamaged textbooks; and
• the State Board of Education to make rules regarding the disposal of textbooks.

PUBLIC EDUCATION TRUST FUND MODIFICATIONS
This bill creates the Public Education Trust Fund.
▸ creates the Public Education Trust Fund (trust fund);
▸ creates an advisory council to advise on the management and use of the trust fund;
▸ provides that the trust fund shall be used to fund a grant program to assist school
personnel seeking advanced degrees or certifications

EDUCATION FUNDING AMENDMENTS
This bill requires the State Board of Education to report recommendations to the Public
Education Appropriations Subcommittee regarding the conversion of all public
education funding to the weighted pupil unit.