HB 351 requires Utah public schools to follow up with parents within 30 days if a student fails a vision screening, confirming they received results and offering help finding care. It affects students aged 3-16 in Utah public schools, their parents, and school staff conducting screenings. The bill establishes a two-tier screening system (basic "tier one" and more detailed "tier two"), mandates training for school nurses and volunteers, and creates standardized forms to ensure screenings aren't confused with full eye exams. Schools must also provide resources for follow-up care and prevent volunteers from promoting businesses during screenings. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, with no new funding required.
HB 352 requires Utah's public higher education institutions to organize into geographic regions containing at least one degree-granting institution and one technical college per region. It mandates the Utah Board of Higher Education to establish regional groupings, report to the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee by August 2026, and ensure horizontal (collaboration between similar institutions) and vertical (integration across education levels) integration. Key provisions include creating clear transfer paths for credits, stackable programs that build sequentially, and shared services like admissions and student support. This affects all public higher education institutions in Utah, including research universities (e.g., University of Utah, Utah State), regional universities (e.g., Weber State, Utah Valley), community colleges (e.g., Salt Lake Community College), and technical colleges. The bill amends Utah Code Section 53H-3-602 to formalize these regional alignment requirements.
HB 143 requires Utah school districts to provide parents of students in special education with written notice at least 30 days before changing a student’s special education placement due to a boundary change (like moving to a new school). The notice must include details about the change’s reason, new location, timeline, contact information, and options for discussing it or scheduling an IEP meeting. It directly affects parents of students in special education programs whose school assignments are altered. The bill creates a clear process for districts to communicate these changes while giving parents time to provide input before decisions are finalized.
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.
SB 62 modifies Utah's school funding formula to adjust how districts calculate weighted pupil units (WPU) for state funding. It replaces the previous "prior year plus growth" method with a new rule: funding calculations will use the higher of either (1) the prior year's enrollment adjusted for actual growth or (2) the current school year's October enrollment count. This change directly affects public school districts and charter schools by altering how their student enrollment data influences annual funding amounts. The bill makes no new money appropriations but changes the calculation method, effective July 1, 2026.
HCR 13 is a concurrent resolution (not a law) encouraging Utah schools to expand technical education programs focused on high-demand careers in nuclear technology, mining, and fiber optics. It urges the State Board of Education and local schools to create courses leading to industry certifications (like electric lineworker training) and collaborate with employers to align curriculum with workforce needs. The resolution does not appropriate funding or mandate changes but recommends specific actions to strengthen Utah’s workforce pipeline in key industries. It directly affects public schools, career and technical education programs, and industry partners through voluntary program development. The resolution passed the legislature in March 2026 and is now sent to the State Board of Education for consideration.
SB 88 amends Utah's public school internet policies to require school boards to adopt specific procedures. It directly affects public schools, parents, and students by mandating that school boards: (1) adopt policies restricting obscene content, (2) implement a parent-accessible monitoring system for student device activity, and (3) use a preapproved content filtering system when parents request it. The bill also requires school boards to review policies every three years and post them visibly in schools. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not appropriate new funding.
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.
HB 373 creates a pilot grant program to fund higher education research at Utah public universities, administered by the Utah Board of Higher Education through the Nucleus Institute or other designated bodies. The bill allows the commissioner of higher education to take over certain duties previously handled by the board and requires annual reporting on the program's implementation. It does not appropriate new state funds, and the program would operate under existing funding mechanisms. The bill directly affects Utah public universities, research institutions, and faculty seeking competitive funding for innovative academic projects.
HB 218 amends Utah’s requirements for digital literacy education in grades 7 and 8, directly affecting public school students in those grades starting the 2027-2028 school year. The bill defines specific digital skills concepts (such as online ethics, AI literacy, cybersecurity, social media impact, and misinformation evaluation) that must be covered in the course. It also establishes an advisory tech council to guide curriculum development, recommend resources, and advise on emerging technologies. The changes update existing education codes without new funding, focusing on standardizing digital literacy instruction across Utah schools.
