All Roll Calls
Yes: 143 • No: 18
UtahS.B. 1812026 General SessionSenateWALLET
School Discipline Amendments
Sponsored By: Luz Escamilla (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
EducationStudent Health and SafetyK-12 EducationState Board of EducationLocal Education Agencies (LEAs)School Facilities
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Safer, recorded seclusion rooms in schools
Seclusion rooms must meet strict safety standards: at least 60 square feet, 8‑foot ceilings, and 6 feet of clear space from walls. Rooms must have safe, non‑climbable walls, no free‑standing furniture, enclosed outlets, continuous lighting with controls outside, proper heating and cooling, shatter‑resistant windows, a vision panel, and locks that release on fire alarms. Every room must record video and audio of all activity, be ready for admin review, and limit access to authorized people under privacy laws. New schools with a planned room must comply at once; existing rooms must meet State Board timelines and milestones. If a room breaks the rules, the district must notify its board, make a corrective plan, and report to the State Board, which can act if fixes do not happen. These standards apply beginning July 1, 2026.
Statewide training and public incident reports
The State Board sets statewide rules for emergency interventions, including reporting, staff training, parent notice, data collection and review, and room standards. Each district must report yearly on every incident: how long it lasted, why it happened, alternatives tried, student sex, gender, age, grade, disability status, and staff training info. The State Board includes this data in the State Superintendent’s Annual Report. These rules and reports start July 1, 2026.
Stronger enforcement and legal penalties
Districts must investigate violations, discipline involved staff, and make fixes to prevent repeat problems. Some improper seclusion or restraint counts as unlawful detention and must be referred to law enforcement and the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission. Courts can act against employers that fail to enforce these rules. Schools cannot punish staff who refuse to commit a banned act. People and schools who report or help in good faith have immunity, and child welfare keeps violation reports confidential. These enforcement rules take effect July 1, 2026.
Stricter student seclusion and restraint rules
The law limits seclusion to true emergencies for students in grade 1 or higher. Staff must try the least restrictive step first and actively supervise, with each use capped at 30 minutes. Parents must be told right away and no later than 15 minutes. If parents cannot be reached and danger continues after the first 30 minutes, schools may reassess and add up to 30 minutes at a time when other methods fail. Physical restraint is allowed only for self‑defense, to take a weapon, to prevent injury, to remove a violent student, or to protect property when safety is at risk. Districts must have written seclusion policies and schools must document every incident, including why, how long, alternatives tried, and room compliance. These rules apply to students under 19, and to students under 23 who receive special education services. Exceptions include law enforcement, certain private parochial schools that take no state funds and opt out with notice to parents, and behavior supports allowed under other laws. Beginning July 1, 2026, these limits and duties apply.
Corporal punishment banned and reported
School employees may not use corporal punishment on students. Complaints must follow state child abuse reporting and investigation rules. When a violation is confirmed, schools must act quickly, including in‑service training and other steps. These protections take effect July 1, 2026.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Luz Escamilla
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Jason E. Thompson
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
Yes: 27 • No: 2
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 56 • No: 13
House vote • 2/27/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 20 • No: 3
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 23 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/12/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 2/12/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/19/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/12/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/12/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/11/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/11/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/11/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/11/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/7/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/7/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/7/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ concurs with House amendment
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ floor amendment
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ substituted
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact
3/2/2026HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
3/2/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Amended 3/6/2026 23:03:488
3/6/2026
Substitute #3
3/5/2026
Substitute #2
2/23/2026
Substitute #1
2/10/2026
Introduced
1/22/2026
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