HB 293 prohibits Utah public schools from joining athletic associations that fail to include specific student athlete protections. The bill requires associations to mandate holiday breaks, summer rest periods, and limit practice time to 15 hours per week. It also sets documentation standards for verifying student eligibility, with accommodations for non-citizen students (using alternative IDs or affidavits) and homeless youth (using school records or affidavits). This directly affects public schools and the athletic associations they partner with, ensuring associations comply with these policies before schools can participate.
HB 143 requires Utah school districts to provide parents of students in special education with written notice at least 30 days before changing a student’s special education placement due to a boundary change (like moving to a new school). The notice must include details about the change’s reason, new location, timeline, contact information, and options for discussing it or scheduling an IEP meeting. It directly affects parents of students in special education programs whose school assignments are altered. The bill creates a clear process for districts to communicate these changes while giving parents time to provide input before decisions are finalized.
SB 52 removes the requirement for a teaching license for long-term substitute teachers in Utah school districts. This change directly affects school districts hiring substitutes and non-licensed individuals seeking long-term substitute roles. The bill eliminates the previous restriction limiting non-licensed substitutes to 20 days per school year, while maintaining background checks and requiring districts to prioritize licensed educators when available. It amends Utah Code Section 53E-6-901 and takes effect May 6, 2026.
SB 58 requires public schools to address chronic absenteeism and academic needs through specific, funded programs. School principals must provide written compliance assurances, and school councils must create detailed plans using allocated funds to target the school’s most critical academic needs and absenteeism. These plans must include specific programs, materials, or staff training (like attendance plans, academic recovery programs, and staff development) with measurable goals for improving student performance. The bill directly affects public schools, their councils, and principals by mandating structured, accountable approaches to attendance and academic improvement.
SB 54 amends Utah's Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program to make it more accessible. It removes income-based eligibility requirements (affecting low-income families) and eliminates eligibility for siblings. The bill aligns the program with Utah's Fits All Scholarship Program by allowing scholarship organizations to approve private schools and providers, requiring physical education and extracurricular caps, and adding primary residency verification. These changes streamline administration and clarify eligibility without appropriating new funds.
HCR 13 is a concurrent resolution (not a law) encouraging Utah schools to expand technical education programs focused on high-demand careers in nuclear technology, mining, and fiber optics. It urges the State Board of Education and local schools to create courses leading to industry certifications (like electric lineworker training) and collaborate with employers to align curriculum with workforce needs. The resolution does not appropriate funding or mandate changes but recommends specific actions to strengthen Utah’s workforce pipeline in key industries. It directly affects public schools, career and technical education programs, and industry partners through voluntary program development. The resolution passed the legislature in March 2026 and is now sent to the State Board of Education for consideration.
SB 241 establishes a statewide framework for early literacy in Utah public schools, directly affecting kindergarten through third-grade students, their schools, and educators. It sets a 2030 goal for 80% of third graders to read at grade level, requiring schools to provide individualized reading plans based on benchmark assessments and ban certain teaching methods like "three-cueing." The bill mandates science-of-reading training for teachers and school leaders, dedicates existing funding for literacy coaching (without new money), and ties school performance monitoring to third-grade reading outcomes. Key provisions include requiring retention in third grade for students not meeting benchmarks (with limited exemptions) and aligning teacher evaluations with literacy instruction standards.
SB 88 amends Utah's public school internet policies to require school boards to adopt specific procedures. It directly affects public schools, parents, and students by mandating that school boards: (1) adopt policies restricting obscene content, (2) implement a parent-accessible monitoring system for student device activity, and (3) use a preapproved content filtering system when parents request it. The bill also requires school boards to review policies every three years and post them visibly in schools. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not appropriate new funding.
HB 373 creates a pilot grant program to fund higher education research at Utah public universities, administered by the Utah Board of Higher Education through the Nucleus Institute or other designated bodies. The bill allows the commissioner of higher education to take over certain duties previously handled by the board and requires annual reporting on the program's implementation. It does not appropriate new state funds, and the program would operate under existing funding mechanisms. The bill directly affects Utah public universities, research institutions, and faculty seeking competitive funding for innovative academic projects.
HB 218 amends Utah’s requirements for digital literacy education in grades 7 and 8, directly affecting public school students in those grades starting the 2027-2028 school year. The bill defines specific digital skills concepts (such as online ethics, AI literacy, cybersecurity, social media impact, and misinformation evaluation) that must be covered in the course. It also establishes an advisory tech council to guide curriculum development, recommend resources, and advise on emerging technologies. The changes update existing education codes without new funding, focusing on standardizing digital literacy instruction across Utah schools.
