HB 273: Classroom Technology Amendments - Utah

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

Substitute #2 reorganizes the bill's structure by adding a new section for AI sandbox courses and clarifying the relationship between technology standards and computer science standards. It also updates the effective date for the AI sandbox course provision to align with the rest of the bill. These changes aim to streamline the legislative text and ensure all new provisions regarding artificial intelligence and classroom technology are clearly defined and synchronized.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include a new category for 'AI sandbox courses' in the list of enacted sections, and the applicability of the sandbox course provision was adjusted to match the primary effective date of the legislation.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new enacted section (53G-7-1403) specifically governing AI sandbox courses, detailing requirements for parental consent, data privacy safeguards, and ethical use guidelines.

Changed the language in Section 53E-4-202 to clarify that the state board must adopt 'computer science standards' rather than just 'standards and objectives' to address digital skills and AI awareness.

TIMELINE

Adjusted the effective date for the AI sandbox course provision from July 1, 2027, to July 1, 2026, to align with the effective dates of the other new sections in the bill.

TECHNICAL

Reformatted the bill text to include a dedicated 'AI Sandbox Course' section and updated the Utah Code Sections Affected list to reflect the new section number.

Amended 3/4/2026 18:03:925 → Substitute #1 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill substitutes a new version of HB 273 that maintains the core goal of regulating classroom technology and AI but introduces significant formatting and structural changes. The primary substantive additions include a new section allowing public high schools to offer 'AI sandbox courses' for career and technical education, while the text for existing sections on core standards and balanced technology use appears to have been reformatted or partially truncated in this specific version.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to explicitly include a new provision for high school 'AI sandbox courses' focused on emerging fields like data science and digital design, whereas the previous version did not contain this specific course offering.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section (Section 6) authorizing local education agencies to offer an 'AI sandbox course' to grades 9-12, requiring parental consent and strict data privacy safeguards.

TECHNICAL

The text for Section 53E-4-202 (Core Standards) and Section 53G-7-228 (Classroom Technology) appears to be reformatted or truncated in this version, with some subsections missing compared to the previous full text.

The document structure changed from a standard legislative bill format to a 'Substitute Bill' format with different header styling and page numbering.

Amended 2/18/2026 15:02:650 → Amended 3/4/2026 18:03:925 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to fix formatting errors and correct a section numbering typo (changing a reference from 'Subsection (b)' to '(d)' and removing stray brackets). These changes ensure the text is clean and legally consistent without altering the actual policy requirements regarding classroom technology or artificial intelligence.

TECHNICAL

Corrected a section numbering error where a line was labeled '(b)' but should have been '(d)' to align with the list structure.

Removed stray square brackets around the word 'pursuant to' to clean up the text.

Deleted duplicate and inconsistent header lines that mixed old and new formatting styles.

Amended 2/10/2026 09:02:210 → Amended 2/18/2026 15:02:650 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was reformatted and reorganized into a clean legislative text from a previous draft version. The substantive policy content regarding classroom technology and AI standards remains identical, with no changes to requirements, dates, or funding.

Scope change

No change in scope or applicability; the bill affects the same Utah public schools and LEAs as before.

TECHNICAL

Removed redundant line numbers, timestamps, and formatting artifacts from the previous draft.

Added a new header indicating this is a '2nd Sub. (Gray)' substitute bill proposed by sponsor Ariel Defay.

Reordered the text to present a standard legislative format, moving the title and long title to the top and removing inline draft markers.

Amended Excerpts 3/4/2026 18:03:925 → Amended 2/10/2026 09:02:210 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was completely replaced with a new version that shifts focus from strict classroom technology restrictions to a broader framework including AI standards, digital literacy, and mental health considerations. The new version requires the State Board to create model policies on both balanced technology use and artificial intelligence, while removing specific prohibitions on sending devices home or assigning internet-based homework. It also adds requirements for core standards to include AI education and digital responsibility.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from primarily regulating classroom technology use to include comprehensive standards for artificial intelligence, digital literacy, and social media awareness in core education standards.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for the State Board to create model policies on artificial intelligence use in classrooms, in addition to balanced technology use.

Added requirements for core standards to include AI education, digital skills, social media literacy, and mental health considerations.

Removed specific prohibitions on sending school-issued devices home and assigning homework requiring internet access.

Modified reporting requirements to focus on policy specifics rather than detailed implementation plans.

Added requirements for LEAs to provide resources to help parents supervise technology use at home.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'screen-time' and 'instructional technology' to clarify what is regulated.

Amended Excerpts 2/18/2026 15:02:650 → Amended Excerpts 3/4/2026 18:03:925 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add stricter requirements for instructional technology, including a mandate that tools must demonstrate significant educational value and be free from distracting design features. New provisions require school districts to provide parents with access to student digital data and alerts for sensitive content, while also establishing a timeline for adopting specific AI usage policies. The changes aim to increase parental oversight and ensure that technology use in classrooms is intentional and educationally beneficial rather than a substitute for direct instruction.

Scope change

The scope of the bill expanded to include specific mandates for Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and enhanced parental rights regarding student digital privacy and monitoring.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that instructional technology must be demonstrated to have significant educational value and must not contain design features that interfere with learning or distract from instruction.

Added a new requirement for LEAs to provide parents with a list of all digital tools used in the classroom and access to specific student data, including device usage, account credentials, and browsing history upon request.

Added provisions requiring LEAs to notify parents when a student attempts to access material flagged as sensitive and to provide resources for supervising technology use at home.

Added new requirements for an Artificial Intelligence use policy, including a mandate that educators only use student-facing AI tools approved by the LEA and retain professional judgment when using AI.

Added a requirement that LEAs encourage a reduction in student and educator workload through the use of AI tools.

TIMELINE

Established a specific deadline of July 1, 2027, for LEAs to adopt the state model policy or an amended version that includes the new AI and parental notification requirements.

Amended Excerpts 2/10/2026 09:02:210 → Amended Excerpts 2/18/2026 15:02:650 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered and expanded to include Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. It added a specific definition for 'screen-time' to exclude direct instruction and online student work. New requirements mandate that schools limit technology use to instances with direct teacher supervision and prohibit internet-based homework. The bill also introduced new sections requiring LEAs to adopt an AI use policy, submit it for state review, and establish standards for AI compliance.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind and added new mandates regarding Artificial Intelligence usage policies.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'screen-time' that excludes time spent on direct instruction or online student work.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements that instructional technology must be used only with direct teacher supervision for defined academic purposes.

Added a prohibition on homework that requires access to the internet or instructional technology.

Added new mandates requiring LEAs to create, submit for approval, and regularly review an Artificial Intelligence use policy.

ELIGIBILITY

Extended the bill's applicability to include Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

TECHNICAL

Updated line references throughout the document and renumbered sections.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 2/10/2026 09:02:210 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to clarify definitions regarding how technology is issued to students and to add specific requirements for LEA reporting on professional development and compliance monitoring. These changes aim to ensure clearer accountability for how schools implement new technology policies and support staff training.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on public schools in Utah, but the amendment adds specific reporting obligations for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to detail their professional development plans and compliance monitoring strategies.

DEFINITION

Changed the definition of 'Instructional technology' to specify that it is technology an LEA issues to a student 'to' use in connection with their education, rather than just 'in connection with' the education.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements for LEAs to submit reports detailing their plans for faculty professional development and monitoring compliance with the new technology policies.

Added a requirement for LEAs to report on the monitoring and compliance of public schools within their jurisdiction.

Added a requirement for LEAs to report on implementation efforts and outcomes of the new technology policies.

Introduced → Enrolled · 12 edits · Mar 18, 2026

MAJOR

This bill updates Utah's classroom technology laws to include specific requirements for artificial intelligence (AI) and screen-time management. It mandates that the State Board of Education create model policies for balanced technology use and AI usage, while giving Local Education Agencies (LEAs) the authority to adopt their own policies by July 2027. The bill also introduces new provisions for students with technology-related learning difficulties and establishes a framework for high schools to offer AI sandbox courses.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of technology regulations to explicitly include artificial intelligence and generative AI tools, which were not previously detailed in the same manner. It also adds exemptions for specific groups, such as students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and online school programs, from certain grade-level technology restrictions.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the State Board of Education to create a model policy on the balanced use of technology in the classroom, including specific grade-level frameworks for screen-time limits.

Added a requirement for the State Board of Education to create a model policy on the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom, prohibiting AI for grading or high-stakes decisions.

Added a new requirement for LEAs to create resource plans for students who demonstrate a pattern of difficulty learning through technology-based instruction.

Added authority for public high schools to create and offer 'AI sandbox courses' focused on emerging fields like data science and digital design.

Added requirements for LEAs to minimize non-essential screen-time and prioritize purposeful engagement with instructional technology.

Added a requirement for LEAs to provide parents with access to a list of digital tools used in the classroom and the option to receive alerts for sensitive material access.

Added a requirement for LEAs to certify to the state board that they have adopted balanced technology and AI use policies to receive state funds for digital literacy and technology programs.

Modified the core standards section to include specific computer science objectives addressing digital skills, social media literacy, AI awareness, and screen-time management.

Added a requirement for LEAs to submit reports detailing their adopted technology and AI policies, professional development plans, and implementation outcomes.

Added a requirement for the State Board of Education to post the model technology policy on its website by December 1, 2026.

Added a requirement for the State Board of Education to establish ethical use guidelines for AI sandbox courses.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'instructional technology,' 'screen-time,' 'artificial intelligence tool,' and 'generative artificial intelligence.'

Classroom Technology Amendments

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