SB 274 provides supplemental funding to Utah's local schools based on student reading assessment results. It directs the state board to give additional literacy coaching support to school districts (LEAs) and small schools (under 300 students) where average reading performance falls below statewide averages on benchmark assessments. Funding amounts are set as half a full-time equivalent for most districts and a full-time equivalent for small schools showing significant reading growth gaps. The bill does not appropriate new state funds but triggers existing budget allocations based on prior year assessment data, effective July 1, 2026.
HB 532 creates a three-year School-based Behavioral Health Pilot Program administered by Utah's Department of Health and Human Services. The program awards funds to qualified organizations (implementation partners) to help schools establish a tiered mental health support system, including universal screenings, group counseling for at-risk students, and individualized care. Local schools (LEAs/RESAs) must apply to participate, contract with an implementation partner, and follow specific guidelines for delivering mental health services across four tiers of support. The bill coordinates with existing initiatives like SafeUT Crisis Line and does not appropriate new state funds. It directly affects Utah public schools participating in the pilot and their students.
HB 515 creates the Graduate Student Supplemental Revolving Loan Fund to provide low-interest loans covering the gap between federal financial aid limits and actual program costs for eligible graduate students. It directly affects students enrolled in specific non-professional graduate programs (like nursing, social work, education, or counseling) at Utah degree-granting institutions. The Utah Board of Higher Education will administer the fund, make rules for loan applications and repayment, and use repaid funds to sustain the program - requiring no new state appropriations. The fund becomes operational on July 1, 2026, with annual reports to the governor and legislature.
SB 253 requires school districts (LEAs) to create and adopt a public library collection policy developed under a teacher librarian or certified language arts teacher. The policy must comply with existing law (Section 53G-10-103) and be posted online for public access. This bill directly affects school libraries by mandating transparent, staff-guided collection standards. It does not restrict specific materials but sets procedural requirements for how libraries build their collections. The bill is currently pending review by the Senate Rules Committee.
SB 320 creates a new legal definition for "school-based food pantry" (including teen centers within public schools) and exempts food distributed through these pantries from requiring proof of immigration status for students under 18 or their parents. It also modifies existing food rules to exempt pantry-distributed food from restrictions on certain additives (like bromate and artificial colors) that normally apply to school meals. The bill directly affects public schools, students, and families accessing food pantries by removing barriers to access and clarifying food distribution rules. The changes take effect on May 6, 2026.
HB 467 modifies Utah's Fits All Scholarship Program to clarify eligibility and strengthen oversight. It requires students to be under 19 as of September 1 of the scholarship year and establishes consumer protection standards for how scholarship funds are spent. The bill also enhances program oversight, improves customer service standards for participants, and makes technical updates to program administration rules. These changes directly affect Utah students in kindergarten through 12th grade applying for the scholarship, ensuring clearer eligibility and better safeguards for scholarship funds. The bill does not appropriate new funds but adjusts existing program operations.
SB 322 creates a regulatory sandbox in Utah public schools to safely test educational AI tools under new safety standards. It directly affects public schools, educators, students, and edtech vendors by requiring safety testing, parental opt-out rights, and prohibitions against AI simulating personal relationships with students. Key provisions include mandatory evidence-based evaluations, transparency requirements for vendors, integration with existing student data privacy laws (Title 53E), and a five-year sunset. The bill establishes new oversight through an Education Technology Advisory Council and limits the State Board of Education’s role in approving pilot programs.
HCR 12 is a non-binding resolution celebrating Utah's role in the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. It declares the first week of July 2026 as "Independence Week" and directs Utah's public schools, charter schools, and universities to incorporate educational programming about the Declaration and founding principles during the 2026 school year. The resolution also encourages local governments, communities, and the America250 Commission to host events like the "Walk250 Utah" initiative and "The Pen is Mightier" exhibit. It does not appropriate funds or create new legal requirements, focusing instead on coordinating existing educational and community engagement efforts.
HB 521 creates a new Public Education Economic Stabilization Trust Fund managed by the state treasurer, which must receive $350 million annually starting in 2027 from the existing Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account. The bill requires this trust fund to be funded before other one-time appropriations for public education, ensuring priority for education funding during budget cycles. It also exempts the trust fund from standard state financial management laws and corrects how minimum funding levels apply. This directly affects Utah's public education system by mandating a dedicated funding stream for schools and specific programs like the Catalyst Center Grant Program.
HJR 6 is a non-binding resolution encouraging Utah public schools to prioritize student well-being by increasing physical activity and reducing screen time during the school day. It specifically urges schools to expand physical education, outdoor recess, and unstructured play while recommending thoughtful limits on digital device use - especially for younger students - to support mental health. The resolution, addressed to school leaders and state agencies like the State Board of Education, does not appropriate funds or create new requirements, but rather offers recommendations based on research linking reduced screen time to improved youth mental health outcomes. It follows concerns about rising youth anxiety and the displacement of outdoor play by digital learning tools.
