All Roll Calls
Yes: 188 • No: 18
UtahH.B. 2732026 General SessionHouse
Classroom Technology Amendments
Sponsored By: Ariel Defay (Republican)
Signed by Governor
TechnologyEducationK-12 EducationState Board of EducationArtificial IntelligenceLocal Education Agencies (LEAs)Online Learning and/or Technology
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
School screen limits and parent choices
Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah public school agencies must check classroom technology for safety, age fit, and learning value. They must limit nonessential screen time, monitor use, train staff, and use technology to support—not replace—instruction. The state board must post its balanced-technology model by December 1, 2026, including safety, privacy, wellbeing, and review safeguards. Local agencies must adopt it or an amended policy with required parts and a similarly structured grade framework by July 1, 2027. Otherwise, the model becomes their default. The model bars K–3 classroom screens except for state K–5 computer science lessons and related assessment preparation or testing. It emphasizes hands-on and printed learning, and bars K–6 take-home school devices, one-device-per-student ratios, and homework requiring technology or internet access. Grades 4–6 technology use must be limited, teacher-supervised, and tied to clear academic purposes, with age-appropriate internet filters. Middle-school take-home devices require written parent opt-in and are limited to schoolwork or approved academic programs; high-school parents can opt out. Both levels must balance technology with traditional or teacher-led learning and use internet filters. Framework exceptions cover technology-integral courses, online schools, core technology standards courses, artificial intelligence sandbox courses, and uses allowed by an individualized education or Section 504 plan. They also cover public schools on tribal lands where the local school agency provides internet service.
Student artificial intelligence safeguards and limits
Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah requires school artificial intelligence policies; the state board must post its model by December 1, 2026. The model encourages appropriate teacher use while preserving teacher judgment, and local agencies must approve student-facing tools. Tools must fit students’ ages and digital literacy standards, have clear purposes and guidance, and protect against harmful content. Practices threatening safety or wellbeing, including biometric surveillance and psychological profiling, are prohibited. Teachers cannot let generative artificial intelligence independently grade work or decide high-stakes outcomes. Students’ work must show their own knowledge; generative tools cannot complete academic work unless expressly allowed for a specific instructional purpose. Parents must receive written notice and a link to the local agency’s metadata dictionary when artificial intelligence is used for instruction, assessments, or activities. Local agencies must submit their policies, train staff, enforce compliance, evaluate effectiveness, and review policies at least every two years. They must report updates; the state model applies by default when an agency fails to adopt a compliant policy. The board sets compliance standards and timelines through rules, and existing student privacy laws still apply.
Learning support for students struggling with technology
Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah local school agencies must create support plans for students who repeatedly struggle with technology-based learning. Temporary or situational problems unrelated to a diagnosed or identifiable learning need do not qualify. Help may include printed materials, different assignment formats, extra time, a technology resource center, or access to knowledgeable education professionals. Agencies may also offer hands-on, project-based, book-based, or spoken instruction instead of technology-based learning.
Optional artificial intelligence courses for teens
Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah local school agencies may offer artificial intelligence sandbox courses for grades 9–12. These courses teach workforce skills, including artificial intelligence, data science, and digital design. Delivery is limited to career and technical education courses or focused campuses. Courses must use secure, controlled digital settings and follow federal and state privacy protections and state board ethical-use guidelines. Parents must receive written notice and give written consent before participation; schools cannot require students to enroll.
Students learn digital skills and safety
Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah computer science standards must include artificial intelligence and digital literacy topics. Topics include ethical use, information filtering and decisions, privacy, security, judging online information, screen time and mental health, and age-appropriate social media literacy. This computer science requirement ends January 1, 2028. The law also requires core standards and aligned assessments, with English and math skills growing deeper each year. Before adopting core standards, the board must provide at least 90 days’ public notice, 90 days for comments, and three hearings in different regions. The board must report on standards development and use. It may leave agreements that give another entity control over standards because of community values, costs, or problematic data sharing or tracking. Local agencies retain choices about teaching materials and methods consistent with scientific evidence.
School technology funding depends on safeguards
Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah ties certain state school technology funds to required student safeguards. Local agencies must certify they have adopted and are using a balanced-technology policy, a technology-related learning support program, and a compliant artificial intelligence policy. The state board may delay or withhold digital literacy, computer science, or educational technology funds until compliance. The law adds no new appropriation and does not state how much funding is affected.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ariel Defay
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Cheryl K. Acton
Republican • House
Carl R. Albrecht
Republican • House
Burton, J.
Affiliation unavailable
Clancy, T.
Affiliation unavailable
Paul A. Cutler
Republican • House
Rosalba Dominguez
Democratic • House
Joseph Elison
Republican • House
Jake Fitisemanu
Democratic • House
Gwynn, M.
Affiliation unavailable
Katy Hall
Republican • House
Jon Hawkins
Republican • House
Sahara Hayes
Democratic • House
Jill Koford
Republican • House
Jason B. Kyle
Republican • House
Lee, T.
Affiliation unavailable
Ashlee Matthews
Democratic • House
Grant Amjad Miller
Democratic • House
Logan Monson
Republican • House
Carol S. Moss
Democratic • House
Hoang Nguyen
Democratic • House
Clinton Okerlund
Republican • House
Doug Owens
Democratic • House
Angela Romero
Democratic • House
David Shallenberger
Republican • House
Andrew Stoddard
Democratic • House
R. Neil Walter
Republican • House
Raymond P. Ward
Republican • House
Christine F. Watkins
Republican • House
Chris H. Wilson
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/5/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 62 • No: 6
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 17 • No: 9
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 3 • No: 2
House vote • 2/18/2026
House/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/18/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 68 • No: 1
House vote • 2/9/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
House vote • 2/9/2026
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 2/9/2026
House Comm - Held
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 2/9/2026
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/18/2026House/ to Governor
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/11/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/11/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/6/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/5/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/5/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/5/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ floor amendment
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ uncircled
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ circled
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
2/27/2026SenateSenate/ committee report favorable
2/27/2026SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/27/2026
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Amended 3/4/2026 18:03:925
3/4/2026
Amended 2/18/2026 15:02:650
2/18/2026
Amended 2/10/2026 09:02:210
2/10/2026
Substitute #2
2/4/2026
Substitute #1
1/27/2026
Introduced
1/16/2026