HB 344: School Fees Amendments - Utah

Amended 2/18/2025 09:02:48 → Substitute #1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Utah's school fee laws to require local education agencies to ensure every student has at least one free option for completing graduation requirements starting in the 2026-2027 school year. It clarifies definitions of fees, courses, and supplies, prohibits fees for core subjects and common expenses, and allows fees only for specific extracurricular or specialized activities. The bill also strengthens disclosure requirements and enforcement mechanisms to prevent schools from charging fees that should be free.

Scope change

The bill expands protections for students by requiring at least one free option for all graduation requirements, while maintaining the ability to charge fees for certain specialized courses and activities that fall outside core instruction.

REQUIREMENT

Requires LEAs to ensure every student has at least one free option for completing all required courses and credits starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

Mandates clear disclosure of all fees in registration materials beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

Prohibits charging fees for core subjects (English, math, science, social studies, health) and common education expenses like staff salaries and facility maintenance.

Requires LEAs to publish fee schedules on school websites and include them in registration materials with clear delineation of each fee.

DEFINITION

Redefined multiple terms including 'fee', 'course', 'extracurricular activity', and 'instructional supplies' to clarify what can and cannot be charged.

ENFORCEMENT

Strengthens enforcement by allowing the state board to require repayment of improperly charged fees, withhold state funds, or suspend fee-charging authority.

TIMELINE

Changed effective date from May 7, 2025 to beginning of the 2026-2027 school year for the free option requirement.

Amended Excerpts 2/18/2025 09:02:48 → Amended 2/18/2025 09:02:48 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Utah's school fee regulations to clarify which fees schools can charge students and which expenses must remain free. The changes focus on ensuring students have at least one free option for completing graduation requirements while allowing schools to charge fees for specific additional expenses like field trips and supplies.

Scope change

The bill applies to all local education agencies (LEAs) beginning the 2026-2027 school year, with specific provisions for charter schools offering AP, IB, or concurrent enrollment courses.

REQUIREMENT

Requires LEAs to ensure students have at least one free option to complete all required courses and credits without paying fees

Mandates clear disclosure of any course fees in registration materials

Prohibits charging fees for certain non-fee courses and prevents general fees from supplementing prohibited charges

Allows LEAs to charge fees for specific expenses including field trips, instructional supplies, extracurricular activities, discretionary projects, and other additional expenses

DEFINITION

Updated definitions for 'common education expense', 'course', 'extracurricular activity', and 'fee' to clarify what can and cannot be charged

TECHNICAL

Removed duplicative language regarding textbook fees and made technical conforming changes to existing code sections

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 2/18/2025 09:02:48 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Utah's school fee laws to ensure students have at least one free option for each graduation requirement starting in the 2026-2027 school year. It clarifies definitions of fees, courses, and supplies, and establishes clearer rules about when schools can charge fees versus when they must provide free alternatives.

Scope change

The bill expands protections for students by requiring LEAs to guarantee at least one fee-free option for graduation requirements, while maintaining exceptions for certain specialized courses like AP, IB, and concurrent enrollment.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that each school must offer at least one option for every graduation requirement that does not require paying a fee or using a fee waiver.

Added requirement that LEAs must clearly disclose any fees in course descriptions within registration materials starting 2026-2027.

DEFINITION

Modified definitions to clarify what counts as a fee, fee course, non-fee course, instructional supplies, and school activity clothing versus school uniforms.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date for the new graduation requirement to begin with the 2026-2027 school year.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified enforcement provisions to allow state board corrective action including fee repayment, withholding state funds, or suspending fee-charging authority.

TECHNICAL

Removed duplicative language regarding textbook fees that was already covered elsewhere in the code.

Introduced → Enrolled · 7 edits · Mar 26, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends Utah's school fee laws to ensure public education remains free by prohibiting fees for core courses while allowing fees for specific optional expenses. It clarifies definitions of school activities, establishes new requirements for fee disclosure, and sets a timeline for ensuring fee-free course options.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of prohibited fees to include general fees that supplement prohibited charges and clarifies that fees cannot be used to replace free instruction costs.

DEFINITION

Redefined 'common education expense' to include educator employment, facilities, and operations, and clarified 'course' to include activities required for extracurricular participation.

REQUIREMENT

Requires LEAs to ensure at least one fee-free option exists for each graduation requirement starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

Mandates clear disclosure of all course-related fees in registration materials alongside activity descriptions.

ELIGIBILITY

Prohibits charging fees for non-fee courses (core academic subjects) except for discretionary projects, and bans general fees that supplement prohibited charges.

TIMELINE

Sets different effective dates: most provisions effective May 7, 2025, with fee-free course options required starting 2026-2027.

ENFORCEMENT

Authorizes state board to impose corrective actions including fee repayment, fund withholding, or fee charging suspension for violations.

TECHNICAL

Repealed duplicative textbook fee language and made conforming changes to align with existing statutory structure.

School Fees Amendments

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