HB 104: Firearm Safety in Schools Amendments - Utah

Amended 3/7/2025 10:03:737 → Substitute #1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to shift firearm safety instruction standards from local education agencies to the state board, modify the frequency of required instruction sessions, add new curriculum options including suicide prevention, and change the requirements for instructors handling actual firearms to require concealed carry permits or specific exemptions.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded by requiring the state board to establish standards rather than local agencies, and added suicide prevention instruction as an acceptable method for delivering firearm safety content.

REQUIREMENT

Changed firearm safety instruction frequency from 'at least twice' for grades K-6 to 'once per school year' for all students in K-6, and maintained 'at least once' for middle and high school.

Added requirement that the state board must establish standards for firearm safety instruction under the Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.

Added suicide prevention instruction as a third acceptable method for delivering firearm safety instruction alongside hunter safety courses and physical education curriculum.

Added provision that instructors with concealed carry permits are not required to conceal firearms during safety instruction if other laws require concealment.

Modified opt-out notification requirement to remove the specific mention of safe storage guidelines from the notification list, keeping only instruction details and opt-out procedures.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed instructor requirements for handling actual firearms to require a concealed carry permit or temporary concealed permit instead of broader exemptions from weapons laws.

Amended 2/14/2025 11:02:778 → Amended 3/7/2025 10:03:737 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill was amended to increase the frequency of firearm safety instruction required for students in kindergarten through grade 6 (from twice to three times) and to modify how schools must notify parents about firearm safety instruction, specifically adding requirements to inform parents about safe storage guidelines and how to opt out.

Scope change

The scope of instruction frequency was expanded for younger students, and notification requirements were clarified to include specific content about firearm safety practices.

REQUIREMENT

Increased required firearm safety instruction frequency from twice to three times for students in kindergarten through grade 6

Added specific notification requirements for parents, including information about safe storage best practices and opt-out procedures

Reorganized notification structure to clearly separate firearm safety instruction notice from safe storage guidelines and opt-out information

Amended 2/6/2025 11:02:41 → Amended 2/14/2025 11:02:778 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to change the frequency of firearm safety instruction required for students, modify how instruction can be delivered, and adjust requirements for individuals displaying firearms during instruction. The changes also update the Senate sponsor name and restructure the opt-out provision language.

Scope change

The bill now requires more frequent firearm safety instruction (at least three times for K-6 and twice for middle/high school) compared to the previous requirement of once per year for K-6 and once for middle/high school.

REQUIREMENT

Increased the frequency of required firearm safety instruction from once per year for grades K-6 to at least three times, and from once for middle/high school to twice.

Changed the delivery methods for instruction to include health education curriculum as an option, in addition to physical education curriculum.

Modified the requirement for individuals displaying firearms during instruction to only require exemption from certain weapons laws, removing the requirement for a concealed carry permit or temporary permit.

Changed the opt-out provision from requiring schools to provide alternative activities to allowing schools to provide alternative activities.

Reorganized the bill structure, moving the opt-out provision to Subsection (6) and renumbering other subsections accordingly.

TECHNICAL

Updated the Senate Sponsor name from 'LONG TITLE' to 'Ronald M. Winterton'.

Amended Excerpts 3/7/2025 10:03:737 → Amended 2/6/2025 11:02:41 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to establish minimum standards for firearm safety instruction in Utah public schools, replacing previous requirements for multiple instruction sessions with a new mandate of at least once per grade level per school year. The amendments clarify notification requirements for parents, specify who may provide instruction with actual firearms, and set an effective date of July 1, 2025.

Scope change

The bill now applies to all public school grade levels from kindergarten through high school, with specific requirements for each educational level.

REQUIREMENT

Changed firearm safety instruction frequency from multiple times per year to at least once per grade level per school year, with specific requirements for middle and high school students.

Added requirement that individuals providing instruction with actual firearms must have a concealed carry permit, temporary concealed permit, or be exempt from certain weapons laws.

Added requirement that schools must notify parents of firearm safety instruction and provide details on how to opt out, with alternative educational activities for students who opt out.

Modified instruction delivery options to include public school live instruction, video, online materials, existing hunter safety courses, or physical education curriculum.

TIMELINE

Added effective date of July 1, 2025.

DEFINITION

Added definitions for 'firearm' and 'on or about school premises' referencing existing Utah Code sections.

Amended Excerpts 2/14/2025 11:02:778 → Amended Excerpts 3/7/2025 10:03:737 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to clarify firearm safety instruction requirements, changing the frequency from 'twice' to 'three times' for grades K-6, and adding new notification requirements for parents about firearm safety instruction, safe storage guidelines, and opt-out procedures.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding firearm safety instruction frequency was expanded, and parental notification requirements were added to the existing requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the required frequency of firearm safety instruction from 'twice' to 'three times' while students attend kindergarten through grade 6.

Added requirement for schools to notify parents before providing firearm safety instruction, including details about safe storage best practices and opt-out procedures.

Added provision allowing schools to provide alternative educational activities to students whose parents object to firearm safety instruction.

Amended Excerpts 2/6/2025 11:02:41 → Amended Excerpts 2/14/2025 11:02:778 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill version was updated from the 3rd to 4th substitute, with amendments shifting from House Committee to House Floor. The firearm safety instruction requirements were modified to increase frequency from once to three times per school year for grades K-6, and middle/high school requirements were restructured.

Scope change

The scope of firearm safety instruction requirements was expanded to mandate three separate sessions per school year for elementary students instead of one, while reorganizing middle and high school requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Firearm safety instruction for kindergarten through grade 6 was increased from once per school year to at least three times per school year.

Middle school and high school firearm safety instruction requirements were restructured and combined into a single requirement.

TECHNICAL

Bill version number changed from 3rd Sub. to 4th Sub., and amendment date updated from February 6 to February 14, 2025.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 2/6/2025 11:02:41 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to change how often firearm safety instruction must be provided to students and to simplify the language around which grades receive instruction. The original version required instruction at least three times for K-6 students and twice for middle and high school students, while the amendment reduces this to at least once per school year for K-6 students and once for middle school and once for high school students. This change reduces the frequency of required instruction while maintaining coverage across all grade levels.

Scope change

The scope of required instruction frequency was reduced from multiple sessions per year to once per school year for elementary students, and the language was clarified to ensure coverage for all students across grade levels.

REQUIREMENT

Reduced required frequency of firearm safety instruction from at least three times for K-6 students and twice for middle/high school to at least once per school year for K-6 students and once per middle and high school.

Simplified language to clarify that instruction applies to each grade level rather than specific grade ranges, ensuring consistent coverage across all students.

Removed redundant language about instruction being presented to 'a grade' and replaced with clearer phrasing about individual student attendance at specific school levels.

Substitute #4 → Substitute #5 · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was reformatted from a standard legislative document to a substitute version with updated line numbers and formatting. The substantive policy content remains largely the same, though one key change was made: the required frequency of firearm safety instruction for kindergarten through grade 6 students was increased from 'at least twice' to 'at least three times.'

Scope change

The scope of the bill remains unchanged - it still applies to local education agencies in Utah public schools requiring firearm safety instruction.

REQUIREMENT

Increased the minimum frequency of firearm safety instruction for K-6 students from at least twice to at least three times per grade level.

TECHNICAL

Reformatted the document from a standard legislative version to a substitute version with updated line numbers, timestamps, and formatting conventions.

Substitute #3 → Substitute #4 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill revision strengthens firearm safety instruction requirements in Utah schools by increasing the frequency of instruction, clarifying curriculum options, and modifying who may handle firearms during instruction. The changes aim to ensure more consistent safety education while maintaining flexibility for schools in delivering the instruction.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to require more frequent instruction sessions and clarified that instruction can now be delivered through health education curriculum in addition to physical education.

REQUIREMENT

Increased firearm safety instruction frequency from once per year in K-6 to at least twice per year in K-6, and from once in middle/high school to once in each setting.

Added health education curriculum as an approved method for delivering firearm safety instruction alongside physical education and hunter safety courses.

Changed opt-out provision from mandatory alternative activities to permissive alternative activities, giving schools discretion in providing alternatives.

Reorganized the bill structure, moving the state board rulemaking requirement to a different subsection and adjusting the instructional frequency requirements.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed firearm handler requirements from requiring a concealed carry permit to only requiring exemption from certain weapons laws, removing the permit requirement.

Substitute #2 → Substitute #3 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reformatted and simplified by removing the original Section 2 and replacing it with a new Section 2 that maintains the same effective date. The substantive policy changes involve moving specific firearm safety concepts from the LEA instruction requirements into the State Board's rulemaking standards, adding a provision allowing the use of previously created curricula, and changing the frequency of instruction for middle and high school students from 'at least once while attending' to 'at least once while attending middle school or high school'.

Scope change

The scope of rulemaking authority was expanded to explicitly include specific safety concepts (firearm not a toy, stop and leave alone, etc.) that were previously only in the LEA instruction requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Specific firearm safety concepts (understanding a firearm is not a toy, recognizing danger, stopping and leaving a firearm alone, educating others, telling an adult, and reporting threats) were moved from the LEA instruction requirements into the State Board's minimum standards for rulemaking.

Added a provision allowing LEAs to use firearm safety curricula and materials previously created by the attorney general's office.

Changed the middle and high school instruction frequency requirement from 'at least once while attending middle school and at least once while attending high school' to 'at least once while attending middle school or high school', potentially reducing the total number of required sessions.

TECHNICAL

Removed the original Section 2 and replaced it with a new Section 2 containing the same effective date of July 1, 2025.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reformatted from a standard legislative format to a substitute version with updated language. Key substantive changes include adding a requirement for political neutrality in firearm safety statements, expanding instruction delivery options to include video and online materials, and adding specific curriculum requirements about firearm safety principles. The effective date and core firearm safety requirements remain unchanged.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains the same - it still requires firearm safety instruction in Utah public schools - but the implementation details have been expanded with more specific curriculum requirements and delivery options.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that any firearm-related statements must be politically neutral

Expanded instruction delivery options to include live instruction, video, or online materials

Added specific curriculum requirements including teaching that firearms are not toys, recognizing dangers, and reporting procedures

Changed section title from 'Firearm safety standards and instruction' to 'Firearm safety minimum standards and instruction'

TECHNICAL

Reformatted from standard legislative text to substitute bill format with line numbers and timestamps

Introduced → Enrolled · 8 edits · Mar 27, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was amended to add definitions for key terms, increase the frequency of required firearm safety instruction for younger students, add new delivery methods for instruction, and include a political neutrality requirement for statements about firearms. The changes aim to clarify the bill's requirements and provide more flexibility in how schools deliver the instruction while maintaining safety standards.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include explicit definitions of terms and additional requirements for instructors using actual firearms.

DEFINITION

Added definitions for 'firearm' and 'on or about school premises' to clarify terminology used throughout the bill.

REQUIREMENT

Changed firearm safety instruction frequency from once per year for K-6 to at least three times for K-6 students.

Modified middle and high school instruction requirements from 'at least once' to 'at least twice' with specific timing requirements.

Added new delivery methods including live instruction, video, and online materials as alternatives to existing hunter safety courses.

Added requirement that any statements regarding firearms must be politically neutral.

Added new requirement that instructors using actual firearms must have specific exemptions from weapons laws.

Changed opt-out provision from 'shall provide' alternative activity to 'may provide' alternative activity.

Changed health education curriculum to physical education curriculum as an approved delivery method.

Firearm Safety in Schools Amendments

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