HB 448: Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind Amendments - Utah

Amended 2/19/2026 13:02:302 → Substitute #1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (USDB) to clarify its role as a statewide support agency rather than just a single campus school. Key changes include new definitions for terms like 'deafblind' and 'functional hearing loss,' a revised eligibility process that allows USDB to serve as a student's designated Local Education Agency (LEA) under specific conditions, and updated reporting requirements for student data. The bill also establishes an advisory council with specific member composition to guide USDB policy and modifies capital facility planning to prioritize space-sharing with local school districts.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of USDB from a traditional single-campus model to a statewide multi-campus support system that can serve as a designated LEA for students in specific circumstances, while also clarifying eligibility criteria for various disabilities.

DEFINITION

Added and clarified definitions for 'deafblind,' 'functional blindness,' 'functional hearing loss,' 'cortical visual impairment,' and 'low vision' to ensure consistent application of eligibility standards.

ELIGIBILITY

Revised eligibility rules to allow USDB to function as a student's designated LEA when the student's local school district agrees to an educational partnership agreement and assumes certain funding responsibilities.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the Superintendent's Annual Report requirements to include specific data on USDB operations, student counts, and financial reports submitted by the USDB superintendent.

Created a new Advisory Council with specific membership requirements including parents, blind individuals, deaf individuals, and deafblind individuals to provide recommendations on USDB programs.

Added requirements for school districts to make good faith efforts to provide space for USDB programs and to consider colocation opportunities before seeking new capital funding for USDB facilities.

FISCAL

Modified the financial relationship between USDB and local school districts, requiring LEAs to remit 95% of per-pupil funding to USDB when USDB serves as the designated LEA.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the bill to July 1, 2026, and specified that USDB shall begin counting students in LEA enrollment counts starting July 1, 2027.

Amended 2/10/2026 09:02:207 → Amended 2/19/2026 13:02:302 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This amendment restructures the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind into a single statewide agency, clarifying its role as a designated Local Education Agency (LEA) for eligible students. It separates the advisory council's duties into distinct recommendations for deaf/hard of hearing and blind/visually impaired programs. Additionally, it updates eligibility rules to allow non-disabled Utah residents to access services if they are relatives of eligible students, provided their home LEA pays the associated costs.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to formally establish the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind as a unified statewide LEA responsible for serving students across the state, rather than just operating specific campuses.

SCOPE

The Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind is now explicitly defined as a single public school agency and subdivision of the state board, replacing the previous multi-campus model description.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility was expanded to include Utah residents who are neither deaf, blind, nor deafblind, provided they are direct relatives of an eligible individual and their home LEA agrees to count the student and remit funding.

REQUIREMENT

A new requirement mandates that home LEAs count students served by the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind in their enrollment and remit 95% of per-pupil funding to the state agency.

The advisory council's responsibilities were split into two separate recommendations: one for the Educational Enrichment Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students, and another for the Educational Enrichment Program for Blind and Visually Impaired Students.

School districts must now develop communication plans or share directory information to notify eligible students of enrichment program opportunities, with an option for parents to opt out of notifications.

TIMELINE

The effective date for the LEA funding and enrollment counting requirements was set to begin on July 1, 2027.

Amended Excerpts 2/19/2026 13:02:302 → Amended 2/10/2026 09:02:207 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill fundamentally restructures the governance and operations of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (USDB). It shifts the USDB from a standalone entity to a subdivision of the State Board of Education, clarifies the superintendent's appointment process, and establishes a new funding model where local school districts pay 95% of per-pupil funding for students placed at the USDB. The bill also expands eligibility to include non-residents (with tuition fees) and creates a new 'Educational Enrichment Program' for broader student support.

Scope change

The bill expands the USDB's scope by allowing it to serve as the designated Local Education Agency (LEA) for students, thereby assuming direct responsibility for their education and funding, and by adding eligibility for non-resident students.

GOVERNANCE

The USDB is now defined as a subdivision of the State Board of Education, and the State Board retains direct authority to appoint or supervise the USDB superintendent.

FISCAL

A new funding mechanism requires the student's home school district to count the student in enrollment and remit 95% of state and federal per-pupil funding to the USDB when the USDB serves as the designated LEA.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility is expanded to include non-resident students, provided they pay tuition for services.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements mandate that school districts notify parents of program opportunities and allow parents to opt out of these notifications.

New capital facilities rules require the State Board to review opportunities for space-sharing or colocation with local school districts before seeking new funding.

DEFINITION

A comprehensive list of definitions was added to clarify terms like 'deafblind,' 'functional blindness,' and 'LEA of record.'

TIMELINE

The new funding and designated LEA responsibilities are scheduled to begin on July 1, 2027.

Amended Excerpts 2/10/2026 09:02:207 → Amended Excerpts 2/19/2026 13:02:302 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to clarify the appointment authority for the superintendent of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, ensuring the state board retains final approval. Additionally, the legislation expanded requirements for school districts to notify eligible students about enrichment programs and introduced a mechanism for parents to opt out of these notifications.

Scope change

The bill's scope now explicitly includes requirements for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to manage student notification for enrichment programs, while maintaining the state board's oversight of the schools' leadership.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that the state board must approve the appointment of the superintendent for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, rather than leaving the appointment solely to the state superintendent.

Added a requirement for Local Education Agencies to develop communication plans or provide student directories to ensure deaf, hard of hearing, blind, and visually impaired students are informed about available enrichment programs.

ELIGIBILITY

Introduced a new provision allowing parents to opt out of the mandatory student notification process regarding enrichment programs at any time.

DEFINITION

Reorganized the text defining the 'Educational Enrichment Program' to clearly separate funding streams for deaf/hard of hearing students and blind/visually impaired students.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 2/10/2026 09:02:207 · 2 edits

MINOR

This amendment clarifies the appointment process for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind superintendent. It changes the authority from the State Board alone to a shared arrangement where the State Board approves the appointment made by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, who also supervises the new superintendent. This ensures the new superintendent reports directly to the State Superintendent while maintaining State Board oversight.

Scope change

The scope of the appointment authority was modified to involve both the State Board and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, whereas the original text gave the State Board sole appointment power.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the superintendent appointment process so the State Superintendent of Public Instruction appoints and supervises the superintendent (with State Board approval), rather than the State Board appointing the superintendent directly.

Added a requirement that the new superintendent must report directly to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Introduced → Enrolled · 8 edits · Mar 26, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates the governance, funding, and operational rules for Utah's schools serving deaf, blind, and deafblind students. Key changes include splitting two enrichment programs into separate entities, adjusting how funding is shared with local school districts, and clarifying the appointment process for the school superintendent.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded by creating distinct programs for deaf/hard of hearing students and blind/visually impaired students, and it now explicitly allows Utah residents who are neither deaf nor blind to receive services if they are relatives of eligible students.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'LEA of record' was updated to reference a specific section governing how a student's residence district is determined.

The 'Educational Enrichment Program' was split into two separate programs: one for deaf and hard of hearing students, and one for blind and visually impaired students.

FISCAL

When the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind act as a student's designated school district, the local district must now remit 95% of per-pupil funding to the schools starting July 1, 2027.

REQUIREMENT

The state board must now conduct an exhaustive review of local school facilities to identify opportunities for space sharing or colocation before seeking new capital funding.

Local school districts are now required to notify deaf, blind, and visually impaired students about enrichment programs and provide directory information to the schools.

The appointment of the superintendent was revised to allow the state superintendent of public instruction to appoint the role with the state board's approval.

TIMELINE

The bill's effective date was changed from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027, to align with the new funding remittance requirements.

SCOPE

Eligibility was expanded to include Utah residents who are not deaf, blind, or deafblind if they are direct relatives of an eligible individual.

Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind Amendments

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