SB 294 creates a standardized digital "Student Achievement Backpack" for Utah K-12 students, providing a unified view of their academic progress across schools and programs. It requires the system to operate without transferring or storing student data (keeping records in original school systems), using a "visualization-only interface" to show existing data securely. The bill defines who can access this profile - students, parents, teachers, and administrators - and ensures it supports personalized learning, postsecondary planning, and seamless transitions between schools. It does not replace existing school data systems or alter current reporting requirements.
SB 291 amends Utah's student transportation rules to expand eligibility for state-funded bus service. It defines "hazardous routes" (e.g., high-speed roads without sidewalks, multi-lane highways, or dangerous intersections) and creates new eligibility: students in kindergarten-grade 6 living ≥1.5 miles from school, or students in middle school (grades 6-12) living ≥2 miles away. Crucially, it adds eligibility for students in certain counties if their walking route is hazardous, regardless of distance. The bill appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 to fund transportation for students on hazardous routes, requiring school districts to respond to parent petitions within 30 days. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
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.
HB 497 adjusts Utah's public education funding formula to provide additional support for schools experiencing enrollment declines. It requires the Office of Legislative Fiscal Analyst to calculate and add funding to the Minimum School Program when enrollment drops, specifically increasing the weighted pupil unit value based on projected enrollment-related budget reductions. This change directly affects public schools with declining student enrollment by ensuring their funding levels are adjusted to account for reduced revenue from the Uniform School Fund. The bill updates existing code (53F-9-201.1) and takes effect on July 1, 2026, without appropriating new funds.
HB 456, titled "Pesticide Amendments," restricts the use of specific pesticides near schools in Utah. It prohibits applying 10 listed chemicals - including glyphosate, atrazine, chlorpyrifos, and certain fluorinated substances - within 1,000 feet of any school boundary, defined as the school's property line or adjacent areas used for education. For pesticides not banned by the bill, applicators must post signs 72 hours before and after application within the 1,000-foot zone, excluding biopesticides and antimicrobials. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, and applies directly to pesticide users near elementary or secondary schools.
SB 295 requires Utah public schools and higher education institutions to promote intellectual diversity by hosting public policy events featuring diverse perspectives, including debates and discussions on differing viewpoints. It mandates that institutions organize these events, maintain public event calendars, and record sessions for transparency, while clarifying that existing anti-discrimination rules do not restrict invited guest lectures or speakers. The bill directly affects public schools, universities, and state government entities by modifying reporting requirements and curricular club policies. It makes no new funding allocations and focuses on procedural changes to encourage open discourse within educational settings.
HB 526 requires Utah school districts to request a welfare check for students absent 10+ consecutive days under specific conditions: if parents failed to notify the school, didn’t home-school, didn’t unenroll the student, ignored school communications, and the student isn’t enrolled elsewhere. The bill mandates referrals to local law enforcement or child services solely to verify the student’s safety, not to replace other actions. It does not require schools to take additional steps beyond the welfare check referral. The law takes effect May 6, 2026, with no new funding or procedural changes beyond the referral process.
This non-binding resolution urges Utah public schools to prioritize student health by encouraging at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity for all K-12 students through existing programs like PE, recess, or classroom movement. It specifically recommends elementary schools (including charters) hold annual field trips to working farms or whole-food restaurants to teach nutrition and food systems. The resolution emphasizes local flexibility, allowing schools to implement these suggestions based on community needs without mandating specific methods. It does not allocate funds or create new legal requirements, instead serving as a policy recommendation aligned with national health guidelines.
SB 296 requires Utah schools and colleges to obtain clear, informed consent from students before sharing their educational data (like transcripts, enrollment records, and course history). It mandates a secure digital consent system by July 2027, prohibits bundling unrelated terms with consent requests, and ensures students can revoke consent anytime. The bill directly affects students (including minors, where parents must consent) and educational institutions, while prohibiting schools from restricting consent rights or requiring waivers of unrelated privacy protections. It aligns with federal FERPA law but adds Utah-specific rules for data disclosure, including creating a private right of action if third parties violate these requirements.
