SB 52 Utah Senate · 2026 General Session

Substitute Teaching Requirements Amendments

SB 52 removes the requirement for a teaching license for long-term substitute teachers in Utah school districts. This change directly affects school districts hiring substitutes and non-licensed individuals seeking long-term substitute roles. The bill eliminates the previous restriction limiting non-licensed substitutes to 20 days per school year, while maintaining background checks and requiring districts to prioritize licensed educators when available. It amends Utah Code Section 53E-6-901 and takes effect May 6, 2026.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Signed Mar 19, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 3 edits · Mar 19, 2026

MINOR

This bill amends Utah's substitute teacher laws to clarify that non-licensed individuals can serve as substitutes, provided they are not disqualified due to license denial or discipline. It maintains a strict 20-day annual limit on using non-licensed substitutes and requires all substitutes to undergo background checks. The primary change is the removal of the previous requirement that a licensed educator must be unavailable before a non-licensed substitute can be hired, effectively allowing districts to hire non-licensed staff more flexibly while retaining the day-count cap.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of who can be hired as a substitute teacher by removing the prerequisite that a licensed educator must be unavailable before a non-licensed individual is considered.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement that a non-licensed substitute can only be hired if a licensed educator is not available.

Reordered and renumbered sections to clarify that background checks and license ineligibility rules apply to all substitutes, regardless of licensure status.

Clarified the 20-day annual limit applies specifically to filling positions with non-licensed substitutes.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 27, 2026 · House Feb 12, 2026

How they voted

26–1

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 29

Jan 27, 2026

D Democratic6

5 Yea 1 Nay

83% Yea

N Forward1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican22

20 Yea 2

90% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 19, 2026

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ committee report favorable [House Education Committee]

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Education Committee]

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Not Considered [House Education Committee]

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

House/ to standing committee [House Education Committee]

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

lower

Jan 22, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Education Committee]

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Education Committee]

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Education Committee]

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor