Education

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 13: Concurrent Resolution Regarding Technical Education

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEncourages expansion of technical education programs for high-demand careers, enhancing curriculum alignment with workforce needs and student program access.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 241: Early Literacy

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates science-of-reading training, bans ineffective methods, sets literacy goals with dedicated funding for K-3 education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 88: School Technology Amendments

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates content filtering and monitoring to protect students from obscene material in school internet use, aligning with protective education safeguards.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyMandates content filtering and monitoring, restricting internet access to obscene content per bill requirements.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 373: Higher Education Innovation

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates grant program for higher education research using existing funds, advancing innovation at public universities per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 218: Digital Skills Amendments

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates specific digital literacy curriculum standards for grades 7-8, establishing advisory council to develop resources, enhancing K-12 educational standards.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates cybersecurity and AI literacy in K-12 curriculum, directly enhancing digital skills education per bill's defined requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 165: Economic Mobility Initiative

SB 165 establishes Utah's "Raising Expectations through Accountability, Community, and Hope" initiative to support community coalitions working on education and economic outcomes. It creates two grant tracks: "partnership development" grants for communities to build plans (requiring criteria like rural location, low school graduation rates, or significant community disparities), and "implementation" grants for executing approved plans. The program requires coalitions - comprising nonprofits, local governments, schools, and community members - to develop detailed "mobility action plans" focused on measurable goals like improving graduation rates, postsecondary completion, or family income levels. Communities must track progress using defined "community indicators" (e.g., kindergarten readiness, high school graduation, housing stability, and self-sufficiency income rates). The bill sets up the program framework but does not appropriate funds for implementation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates grant programs for K-12 education initiatives targeting low graduation rates and community disparities, directly funding educational support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Utah · House Mar 13, 2026

HB 126: Micro-Education Entity Facility Amendments

HB 126 amends Utah zoning laws to treat micro-education entities (like home-based microschools) as permitted uses in all municipal zoning districts, removing barriers to their operation. It requires municipalities to process all land use applications for these entities on a first-priority basis and limits parking requirements to match those for other schools or institutional uses. The bill also clarifies that local governments cannot impose additional restrictions on micro-education entities beyond objective land use standards, such as setbacks or safety regulations. This directly affects micro-education providers seeking to operate within residential or mixed-use areas without facing undue zoning hurdles. The changes apply to Utah Code sections 10-20-304 and 17-79-305, with no new funding or fees required.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves zoning barriers for microschools, expanding K-12 educational access by treating them as permitted uses and prioritizing applications.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 297: School Social Worker Amendments

SB 297 clarifies who can provide mental health support in Utah public schools by updating definitions for "qualifying personnel" (including licensed school social workers, counselors, and psychologists) and "behavioral health support personnel" (non-licensed staff assisting students). It requires the State Board of Education to create guidance based on licensing rules from the Division of Professional Licensing, ensuring schools follow proper training and supervision standards. The bill also establishes how existing state funds for school-based mental health services must be distributed to school districts, with requirements for annual reporting and collaboration with local mental health authorities. It does not appropriate new money but specifies that funds cannot replace existing federal or state funding for mental health staff. The changes primarily affect public schools, school districts, and licensed mental health professionals working in educational settings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies mental health personnel qualifications to ensure proper training/supervision, strengthening student support services in schools per bill's definition updates and State Board guidance requirements.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies mental health support roles in schools with licensing standards, ensuring proper training and supervision for student mental health services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 322: Educational Technology Regulatory Sandbox

SB 322 creates a regulatory sandbox in Utah public schools to safely test educational AI tools under new safety standards. It directly affects public schools, educators, students, and edtech vendors by requiring safety testing, parental opt-out rights, and prohibitions against AI simulating personal relationships with students. Key provisions include mandatory evidence-based evaluations, transparency requirements for vendors, integration with existing student data privacy laws (Title 53E), and a five-year sunset. The bill establishes new oversight through an Education Technology Advisory Council and limits the State Board of Education’s role in approving pilot programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates regulatory sandbox for safe AI testing in schools, mandates safety standards and parental opt-out, advancing educational technology use while protecting students.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires safety testing, parental opt-out, and integrates with data privacy laws (Title 53E) for AI in education, advancing responsible tech use and privacy protections.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 85: Excellence in Education and Leadership Supplement Modifications

SB 85 expands Utah's teacher performance award program to include teachers in school districts not participating in the program. It creates a "self-nomination" pathway for eligible teachers in non-participating districts who meet statewide performance thresholds (top 40% in their subject/grade using state data). The bill updates the program rules to allow these teachers to qualify without district nomination, using a state-calculated value-added growth model. The changes apply to all Utah public school teachers and require the state center to identify qualifying teachers and issue invitations. No new funding is appropriated for this eligibility expansion.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands teacher performance awards to non-participating districts via self-nomination, supporting educators by increasing access to funding and recognition.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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