SB 152 clarifies how public school districts and higher education institutions handle student data by requiring clear explanations about what data is collected, how it will be used, and the right for families to opt out of data sharing. The bill specifically addresses transparency around data practices under existing law (Section 53E-9-402(1)), mandating that schools disclose collection methods, usage purposes, and opt-out options to parents or guardians. It directly affects school districts, colleges, and families by standardizing data privacy communication. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes to improve transparency, not on new funding or program creation. (3 sentences)
SB 167 requires law enforcement and juvenile courts to notify school officials when a minor is taken into temporary custody for a serious offense, released from custody, or placed under home detention. This notification must include the minor's name and the offense, but no other details. The bill directly affects schools, law enforcement, and minors involved in juvenile court proceedings for serious offenses by creating a mandatory reporting process to help schools support these students. It does not change disciplinary policies but ensures schools are informed about custody situations impacting student reintegration.
HB 148 creates a School Meals Debt Relief Fund, allowing Utah taxpayers to voluntarily contribute to the fund when filing their state income tax returns. Local school districts must report their outstanding student meal debt to the State Board of Education, which then distributes funds based on each district's proportion of total statewide school meal debt. School districts must use these funds solely to pay off unpaid student meal balances, and any unused funds must be returned within 60 days for redistribution to other qualifying districts. The program begins for tax years starting January 1, 2026, with the State Board of Education managing data collection and fund distribution.
HB 319 allows Utah counties to accept digitally authenticated documents (like e-signatures) instead of traditional notarized documents for recording. It requires counties to get approval from the State Archives before implementation, ensuring digital records meet security, retention, and preservation standards. The bill establishes that digitally authenticated records have the same legal standing as notarized documents when all requirements are met. This directly affects county recorders, document creators (such as real estate agents), and anyone submitting records to county offices. The law makes no changes to funding or fees but updates state code to reflect electronic record standards.
HB 163 amends Utah's Grow Your Own Educator Pipeline Program to expand scholarship eligibility. It specifically allows currently licensed teachers pursuing special education endorsements to receive program scholarships, which previously covered only paraprofessionals and students in training. The bill updates the program's eligibility rules to include these teachers while maintaining existing requirements for school districts, such as requiring candidates to be state residents and employed by the same district. The program uses existing funds to support scholarships covering tuition, fees, and certification costs, with no new money appropriated.
SB 164 transfers oversight of public school construction projects from Utah's State Board of Education to the Division of Facilities Construction and Management. It requires school districts to obtain division approval before construction begins, including adherence to cost matrices, safety standards (like fire safety and accessibility), and mandatory inspections. The bill establishes new requirements for online documentation tracking, cost reporting, and safety consultations with the state security chief, with full compliance needed by January 1, 2027. This directly affects all Utah school districts planning new construction or major renovations.
SB 131 expands Utah charter school enrollment preferences to include students living within the city or county where the school is located (if their home school is at capacity) and children of military service members and Department of Defense employees. The bill amends existing eligibility rules to add these categories to the list of students who may receive priority admission, while maintaining random lotteries for oversubscribed schools. It takes effect on July 1, 2026, and does not require new state funding. This directly affects charter schools and families seeking enrollment in these schools.
HB 279 amends Utah's Higher Education Code to include private postsecondary educational institutions under certain sections that previously applied only to public institutions. The bill updates definitions and provisions to ensure private colleges and universities are covered by existing higher education regulations, such as those governing the STEM Action Center Board. Key changes involve modifying code sections (including 9-22-102, 9-22-104, and 53H-11-306) to explicitly reference "private postsecondary educational institutions" in relevant contexts. This technical adjustment ensures private institutions are subject to the same statutory frameworks as public higher education entities, without creating new programs or appropriating funds.
SB 81 requires Utah school districts and charter schools to provide targeted reading interventions when a qualifying dyslexia assessment - administered by a licensed professional within their scope of practice - indicates a student lacks reading competency, shows dyslexia characteristics, or is falling behind in reading skills. The bill defines "qualifying dyslexia assessment" and updates licensing rules for mental health therapists and psychologists to explicitly include dyslexia evaluation and treatment under approved diagnostic standards. Schools must then conduct diagnostic assessments, offer individualized tutoring, monitor progress, and inform parents about support options. This applies to students in grades 1-6, with no new funding required.
SB 220 modifies Utah's tuition waiver program for Purple Heart recipients pursuing graduate studies. It removes a previous requirement that veterans apply for graduate waivers within 10 years of completing an undergraduate degree and increases the maximum total waiver amount from $10,000 to $15,000. The bill also clarifies that waivers apply for up to five years after program acceptance or until degree completion, whichever comes first. This change directly affects Utah residents who are Purple Heart recipients enrolled in graduate programs at state institutions. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026.
HB 299 requires Utah public schools to create specific policies for responding when students are arrested, charged, or convicted of serious offenses or sexual crimes. The bill clarifies that school policies must address crimes occurring both on and off school property, mandates school resource officers to provide safety input before a student's return, and requires alternative school placements if a student shares a school with a victim or someone protected by a restraining order. These policies must comply with state and federal law and apply to all Utah local education agencies (LEAs). The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, with no new funding required.
HB 379 exempts licensed child care providers in Utah from standard food service establishment regulations. Instead, it authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to create specific food safety and sanitation rules for these providers, based on food volume and preparation type - not the number of children served. The bill directly affects licensed child care facilities operating under Utah’s child care licensing system, replacing general food safety requirements with tailored standards. It makes technical changes to relevant Utah Code sections without appropriating new funds.
