HB 144: School Community Council Amendments - Utah

Substitute #2 → Enrolled · 7 edits · Mar 19, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates the Utah School Community Council statute to clarify definitions, remove outdated requirements, and establish new reporting and documentation duties. It explicitly defines 'digital citizenship' and 'safety principles' while prohibiting parent members from being school employees. The bill also mandates that councils document certain votes and requires administrators to provide an annual report on safety measures to the council.

Scope change

The bill maintains the existing scope of school community councils but modifies specific eligibility criteria and adds new procedural requirements for councils and administrators.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'digital citizenship,' 'safety principles,' 'school employee member,' and 'School LAND Trust Program money.'

REQUIREMENT

Removed previous provisions that required councils to develop digital citizenship requirements and specific principles.

Required school administrators to provide an annual report to the council detailing steps taken to ensure a safe school environment and online experience.

Mandated that school community councils document specific votes in their official rules of order and procedure.

Added a requirement that the number of non-educator parent members must exceed the number of educator parent members on the council.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that 'parent members' cannot include educators employed at the school, ensuring parents and staff remain distinct groups.

TECHNICAL

Included minor formatting corrections and updates to the effective date of the legislation.

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends the Utah Code regarding School Community Councils to remove specific digital citizenship requirements and certain limitations on parental involvement. It introduces a new exemption for schools in smaller counties and requires local school administrations to provide an annual report on safety measures to the councils. The changes aim to streamline council duties while ensuring transparency and safety reporting.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly exempts schools located in fourth, fifth, or sixth class counties from a specific requirement regarding the ratio of non-educator parent members, broadening the applicability of the council composition rules for smaller districts.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for school community councils to develop and incorporate 'safety principles' and related digital citizenship efforts, shifting the focus away from these specific mandates.

Added a mandate for school districts and administrations to provide an annual report to the school community council detailing steps taken to ensure a safe school environment and responsible online experiences.

ELIGIBILITY

Added an exemption allowing schools in fourth, fifth, or sixth class counties to bypass the rule requiring non-educator parent members to outnumber educator parent members on the council.

TECHNICAL

Modified the text regarding the definition of 'School LAND Trust Program money' to correct a reference to the relevant funding section.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends the Utah School Community Council statute to remove specific requirements regarding digital citizenship and the development of safety principles, while clarifying that parent members cannot be school employees. It also removes provisions related to internet filtering and safety principle discussions from the council's duties, shifting the responsibility for these topics to the school administration. The bill retains the requirement for an annual report from the administration to the council and maintains the council's role in advising on other school programs.

Scope change

The bill narrows the scope of the School Community Council's duties by removing specific mandates related to digital citizenship, safety principles, and internet filtering, effectively transferring those responsibilities to school administrators.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for school community councils to create and implement digital citizenship programs and safety principles.

Removed the council's duty to partner with administrators to ensure on and off-campus internet filtering is installed and configured.

Removed the requirement for the council to hold annual discussions with administrators regarding safety principles.

Removed the council's duty to create the 'School LAND Trust Program' and instead requires only the creation of a LAND Trust plan.

Removed the requirement for the council to work with students and families to develop safety principles.

DEFINITION

Clarified that a 'parent member' explicitly cannot include an educator employed at the school.

TECHNICAL

Added a requirement that the principal must enter council member names on the School LAND Trust website by October 20 of each year.

Adjusted the definition of 'School LAND Trust Program money' to remove redundant phrasing regarding allocation.

School Community Council Amendments

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