All Roll Calls
Yes: 209 • No: 1
UtahH.B. 1432026 General SessionHouseWALLET
Special Education Amendments
Sponsored By: Karen M. Peterson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
EducationK-12 EducationLocal Education Agencies (LEAs)School DistrictsSpecial Education
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
More say on school closures, boundaries
Beginning July 1, 2026, boards must start the notification process with an approved motion before closing a school or changing boundaries. For closures, they must give notice at least 90 days before the board approves a closure vote; for boundary changes, at least 30 days before approval. Notice must use regular channels and USPS mail to known addresses. The board must take public comment (two meetings for closures, one for boundary changes) and hold a public hearing with a Class A notice published at least 10 days before the hearing. The closure process must be finished by December 31 before the school year it takes effect. After a boundary‑change vote, parents have at least 30 days to request out‑of‑area enrollment.
Open access to school materials
School boards must make instructional materials easy for parents to review. They must post recommended items online (or make copyrighted items available at the LEA) before adoption meetings, hold at least two public meetings, and adopt in an open meeting. Contracts for digital content must require the provider to tell the LEA when content materially changes, except routine current‑events updates. Boards must use materials that best match Utah core standards and graduation rules starting July 1, 2026. Parents can see their child’s library loans online (title, author, description, and history). Districts with 1,000+ students had to provide this by Aug 1, 2024; smaller districts must by Aug 1, 2026.
Stronger school safety, routes, alerts
Local boards must adopt and practice an emergency plan for violence, train staff, and certify to the State Board each July 1 starting in 2026. Each district must form a yearly traffic safety committee with schools, PTA, local government, police, and traffic engineers; review routes; submit a child access plan for each elementary, middle, and junior high; and provide K–6 crossing training. Boards may organize student safety patrols; members must be at least 10, have written parent consent, cannot direct cars or stand in traffic lanes, and are covered by liability protections. Policies must ensure non‑electronic notices and access to activities and emergency plans; electronic notices are allowed only if the school gives each student a device or in an emergency. Schools may not require students to use private devices for coursework. Boards may appoint a compliance officer (not a teacher or student) to issue certain citations, with the person’s consent.
Youth court and restorative justice
Beginning July 1, 2026, school boards may create or partner with certified youth courts or comparable restorative justice programs. Schools may refer students to these programs as allowed by state law instead of using only traditional discipline.
Notice and voice for special ed moves
Beginning July 1, 2026, if a boundary change will move a student’s special class, the school must send the parent written notice at least 30 days before the change. The notice must explain the change and its impact, name and location of the new school, how to get more information, timelines and contacts, how to schedule an IEP meeting or transfer services, and transportation details. The school may send it by regular mail, certified mail, email, or hand delivery. Before deciding on any special‑class boundary change, the LEA must let parents give written or spoken comments, record them, and consider them. Exception: if the move happens because the LEA is complying with Subsection 53G‑4‑402(24), this special‑class relocation notice is not required.
New board powers and reporting
Local school boards may accept private grants, loans, gifts, endowments, or bequests for educational use, outside the state budget. Boards may choose to run facility energy‑efficiency programs under the Performance Efficiency Act. Boards must also provide the State Board with information, data, or actions needed to meet required reports or compliance duties; this is enforceable under state law. These changes take effect July 1, 2026.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Karen M. Peterson
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Heidi Balderree
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/23/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 67 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 23 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 25 • No: 0
House vote • 2/13/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
House vote • 2/13/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • 1/30/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 71 • No: 1
House vote • 1/22/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/19/2026House/ to Governor
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/7/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/7/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
2/25/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
2/25/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
2/24/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/24/2026HouseSenate/ to House
2/23/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
2/23/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/23/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/23/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
2/23/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
2/20/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/20/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
2/20/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/20/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
2/20/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
2/19/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd reading
2/19/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
2/17/2026SenateSenate/ comm rpt/ substituted
2/17/2026SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/13/2026Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
2/13/2026
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/7/2026
Substitute #1
2/13/2026
Introduced
1/5/2026
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