HB 273 requires Utah's State Board of Education to develop model policies for technology and artificial intelligence use in public schools, directly affecting all Utah public schools, teachers, and students. Key provisions include adding artificial intelligence standards to core computer science curriculum, establishing grade-level technology use requirements, creating a model for balanced technology integration, and allowing high schools to offer AI-focused "sandbox" courses. The bill also mandates reporting on implementation and exempts certain student groups from grade-level tech requirements, with no new state funding allocated.
This bill changes Utah school device rules to ban cellphones, smart watches, and similar "emerging technology" during all school hours (including lunch, recess, and transitions), not just during instructional time. It affects all students in Utah public schools by expanding device restrictions from classroom hours to the entire school day. Exceptions allow device use for emergencies, medical needs, IEP accommodations, or the SafeUT Crisis Line. School districts must adopt policies aligning with these rules, effective July 1, 2026.
SB 108 prevents Utah cities and counties from creating rules for online marketplaces like Etsy or Airbnb. It specifically blocks local governments from regulating how these platforms operate or demanding user data without a court order. The law allows exceptions for short-term rental rules and for regulating people who use the platforms, not the platforms themselves.
HB 223 updates Utah's process for collecting signatures on petitions by requiring all electronic signature devices to scan voter ID data (like driver's licenses) and operate offline by 2028. Starting January 1, 2030, petition sponsors and circulators must use electronic signatures exclusively, banning manual signature collection entirely. The bill also clarifies security standards for devices and mandates annual reports from the lieutenant governor to the Government Operations Committee. These changes directly affect initiative/referendum petition sponsors and candidate nomination circulators, streamlining the verification process while phasing out manual methods.
HB 438, the AI Companion Chatbot Safety Act, regulates companies that create AI chatbots designed for emotional engagement. It requires suppliers to implement safety protocols for identifying risks, conduct independent safety evaluations, and publicly report on safety measures and user engagement. The bill specifically prohibits sharing minors' data, sending unsolicited messages to encourage use, exposing minors to harmful content, or hiding that the chatbot is AI (mandating clear disclosure). It grants enforcement authority to Utah's Division of Consumer Protection and establishes fines for violations. The law directly affects AI chatbot developers and users, particularly minors, by setting concrete safety and transparency standards.
