Education

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 69: School Device Revisions

This bill changes Utah school device rules to ban cellphones, smart watches, and similar "emerging technology" during all school hours (including lunch, recess, and transitions), not just during instructional time. It affects all students in Utah public schools by expanding device restrictions from classroom hours to the entire school day. Exceptions allow device use for emergencies, medical needs, IEP accommodations, or the SafeUT Crisis Line. School districts must adopt policies aligning with these rules, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill restricts device use during all school hours to minimize distractions, aiming to protect learning environments and align with educational focus goals.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBans personal technology devices (cellphones, smartwatches) during all school hours, restricting access to 'emerging technology' per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Emerging Technology

failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 119: School and Classroom Amendments

SB 119 requires Utah's State Board of Education to develop free, open educational resources (OER) for public schools in kindergarten through grade 8. These resources must align with Utah core standards, reflect state values, be accessible for students with disabilities, and avoid bias, including digital and print materials. The bill directs the State Board to create a centralized platform for these resources, consult with schools and parents during development, and report on progress to the legislature. It does not mandate school districts to adopt the OER, and the bill affects all Utah public schools serving K-8 students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates free, accessible OER aligned with standards and inclusive for disabled students, expanding educational access and quality for K-8.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 142: School Fee Waiver Amendments

HB 142 limits school fee waivers in Utah public schools to two trips per student annually. It requires students seeking a second waiver to develop an "action plan" with their principal, including school-related contributions like custodial work or service hours. The bill also mandates local education agencies to set caps on total fee waivers and verify student eligibility through income documentation like pay stubs. These changes directly affect students in Utah public schools who qualify for fee waivers for school-sponsored trips.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts fee waiver access by limiting to two trips annually and requiring work plans, reducing student access to school activities without increasing support or funding.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

in committee · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 399: Prohibition Against Student Character Tracking and Grading Systems

HB 399 prohibits schools from measuring, grading, tracking, or collecting data on students' character traits or implementing character education programs. It repeals existing requirements for civics and character education in Utah schools and bans administrative staff from using character-based assessments. The bill directly affects public school students and educators by removing mandated character education practices and data collection. It also creates parental rights to receive reports and investigate character education issues, while amending multiple Utah education codes to reflect these changes.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRepeals mandated character education requirements and bans character-based assessments, removing existing curriculum and data collection mandates in K-12 schools.95% confidence

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 393: Early Intervention for Dyslexia Amendments

HB 393 creates a two-year pilot program to screen for dyslexia in Utah schools. It requires the University of Utah College of Education and Education Policy Center to develop a dyslexia screening tool and provides resources to school districts and charter schools. The program mandates reporting to the Education Interim Committee and will end on July 1, 2027. The bill amends education code sections but does not appropriate state funds.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates mandatory dyslexia screening pilot program, mandates tool development, and requires reporting to improve early intervention for students, advancing educational support in K-12 schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 150: School-based Speech-language Pathologist Funding Amendments

HB 150 updates eligibility for Utah's Salary Supplement for Highly Needed Educators program to explicitly include speech-language pathologists and technicians working in designated high-needs school assignments. It also adjusts funding for teaching supplies, providing $500 per classroom teacher position for pre-K through grade 6 and $250 for grades 7-12. The bill makes technical changes to existing funding distribution rules without appropriating new money, clarifying how school districts calculate payments. These changes take effect July 1, 2026, and directly affect school districts, charter schools, and educators in qualifying roles.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates eligibility for speech-language pathologists and allocates classroom supply funding, directly supporting educator resources and K-12 school funding distribution.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands eligibility for salary supplement program to include speech-language pathologists, directly supporting educator compensation within employment framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Teachers

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signed · Utah · House Mar 13, 2026

HB 126: Micro-Education Entity Facility Amendments

HB 126 amends Utah zoning laws to treat micro-education entities (like home-based microschools) as permitted uses in all municipal zoning districts, removing barriers to their operation. It requires municipalities to process all land use applications for these entities on a first-priority basis and limits parking requirements to match those for other schools or institutional uses. The bill also clarifies that local governments cannot impose additional restrictions on micro-education entities beyond objective land use standards, such as setbacks or safety regulations. This directly affects micro-education providers seeking to operate within residential or mixed-use areas without facing undue zoning hurdles. The changes apply to Utah Code sections 10-20-304 and 17-79-305, with no new funding or fees required.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves zoning barriers for microschools, expanding K-12 educational access by treating them as permitted uses and prioritizing applications.85% confidence

failed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 334: Educator Organization Amendments

HB 334 creates the Legislative Education Support and Professional Development Commission to study gaps in educator support systems. The commission will examine issues like communication between schools and policymakers, professional development opportunities, teacher liability insurance models, and recognition programs, with a focus on educators not covered by professional organizations. It will hold its first meeting before October 1, 2026, and submit recommendations to the Education Interim Committee. The bill does not change existing laws or allocate funding, as it establishes a study body to inform future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates commission to study educator support gaps, focusing on professional development and recognition for underrepresented educators, aligning with strengthening educator support systems.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 180: School Nutrition Amendments

SB 180 redirects 10% of Utah's liquor sales revenue to the Uniform School Fund to support school meal programs. It expands eligibility for free school lunches to include students from families earning at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, even if they don't qualify for the National School Lunch Program. The bill requires the State Board of Education to use at least 20% of these funds specifically for free lunches for these eligible students. This policy change uses existing liquor tax revenue without new appropriations to increase access to school meals for low-income Utah students in grades K-12.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing liquor tax revenue to fund school meal programs, expanding access without new taxes or spending cuts to public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects liquor tax revenue to fund expanded school meals, increasing access for low-income students through dedicated funding allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue K-12 Education Student Health

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 350: Foods Available at Schools Amendments

HB 350 amends Utah school food regulations by updating the list of prohibited additives in foods sold, donated, offered, or served during school hours. It bans items containing potassium bromate, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, and specific FD&C dyes (like Blue No. 1 and Yellow No. 5), directly affecting public schools. Key exceptions include parents providing these foods to students, teachers offering them with parental permission, and donated foods going to school pantries. The bill also removes a prior exception for small schools (under 5,500 students) and allows these foods to be sold at school events or in vending machines. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, with no new funding required.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBans harmful additives in school foods to protect student health, directly advancing school safety within education policy as listed under Subjects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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