All Roll Calls
Yes: 191 • No: 1
UtahH.B. 442026 General SessionHouseWALLET
School Security Personnel Standards
Sponsored By: Ryan D. Wilcox (Republican)
Signed by Governor
EducationStudent Health and SafetyK-12 EducationSchool FinanceSchool PersonnelLaw Enforcement and Criminal JusticeDepartment of Public SafetyState Board of Education
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Regular safety checks and parent portal
Every school gets a safety needs assessment at least once every three years. Results go to the State Security Chief and the School Safety Center by October 15 in the assessment year. The State Board uses these results to award grants. The State Board also keeps a parent portal with LEA policies and safety links, and adds school‑level safety data on July 1, 2028. The portal updates at least yearly, and LEAs must tell parents how to access it.
Cybersecurity rules for school districts
Districts must follow minimum cybersecurity standards set in rule, on a phased timeline. UETN and state partners provide guidance and technical help. Districts must report breaches to the Cyber Center, tell the State Board within 24 hours, work with UETN if its systems are involved, name a cybersecurity contact, and join information sharing. The Cybersecurity Commission must adopt framework‑aligned standards for LEAs. The commission’s membership is updated and it sunsets July 1, 2032.
Panic alerts, cameras, and visitor checks
Schools must give lead teachers wearable panic‑alert devices. By July 1, 2027, designated school safety staff must also get devices. Staff must be trained before school starts. Districts must let police and dispatch access school security cameras and install universal key boxes at main entries for emergency responders, with quarterly checks and 24‑hour updates after lock changes. Visitor rules must control entry, require government ID at check‑in, use visible badges, supervise visitors in student areas, and protect personal data in electronic systems with ADA access. LEAs and private schools can apply to the state security chief for approved alternatives to some safety rules based on need.
Police partner with schools on safety
Local police must help schools with safety needs assessments, trainings, and keeping access to school cameras. Schools must submit completed assessments to the School Safety Center by October 15 each year. County security chiefs must consider how many schools use guardians when assigning officer time for trainings. Private schools must name a safety liaison to work with local police and the state security chief.
Educator-Protector program and guardian pay
The law creates the Educator‑Protector Program. To join, a school employee must finish classroom response training in the past six months, hold a valid concealed carry permit, and certify to the department. Participants must carry concealed unless responding to an active threat and may store a firearm only in a biometric safe in their classroom or office while they are on campus. LEAs cannot block employees from joining. Participant lists are private and wrongful disclosure is a class A misdemeanor. Employees and LEAs have civil immunity for good‑faith actions that are not grossly negligent. The state security chief tracks participants and may reimburse a county sheriff for annual classroom response training. Each school must have a safety specialist and, based on its needs assessment, at least one SRO, guardian, or armed guard. Certified guardians may receive a stipend if the Legislature provides money; districts may add local funds.
Stronger student safety and device rules
Corporal punishment by any school employee is banned. Seclusion for students in grade 1 or higher is tightly limited: only for an immediate, significant threat after other steps fail, with close supervision, and for no more than 30 minutes. Parents must be told right away and no later than 15 minutes. LEAs must report each emergency safety intervention yearly to the State Board. Breaking these emergency safety rules is treated as unlawful detention, with referrals to police and the professional practices commission. During class, students may not use phones, smart watches, AI glasses, or similar devices, except for emergencies, SafeUT, IEP/504 needs, or medical reasons. LEAs must also allow device use for those listed exceptions.
Most rules start May 6, 2026
This law takes effect on May 6, 2026.
New standards for special officers
You must be at least 19 to be certified or employed as a special function officer. Under 21, you may only work as a correctional officer. Before using special authorities, you must finish an approved basic training program and be certified by your chief to the division. You must complete at least 40 hours of in‑service training each year. You may carry a firearm only while on duty if your employer authorizes it, and your powers are limited to protecting your employer’s interests and property. If you work for an elected sheriff or a law agency, you may respond to incidents you see while on duty, even off your assigned location, until local police arrive.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ryan D. Wilcox
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Ann Millner
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 67 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 24 • No: 1
House vote • 3/3/2026
Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 3 • No: 0
House vote • 3/3/2026
Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 3/3/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 71 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/17/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/5/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 2/5/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 1/21/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/19/2026House/ to Governor
3/16/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/16/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/12/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/12/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/11/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/11/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/11/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/11/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/10/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/10/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/10/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ substituted
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ comm rpt/ amended
3/4/2026SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
3/3/2026
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Substitute #7
3/6/2026
Amended 3/3/2026 19:03:266
3/3/2026
Amended 3/3/2026 19:03:400
3/3/2026
Amended 2/26/2026 18:02:941
2/26/2026
Substitute #6
2/24/2026
Substitute #5
2/5/2026
Substitute #4
2/4/2026
Substitute #3
1/30/2026
Substitute #2
1/29/2026
Substitute #1
1/23/2026
Introduced
12/18/2025
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