UtahH.B. 4262026 General SessionHouse

Online Education Service Provider Amendments

Sponsored By: R. Neil Walter (Republican)

Signed by Governor

EducationK-12 EducationSchool PersonnelState Board of EducationLocal Education Agencies (LEAs)Online Learning and/or Technology

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

School funding tied to student oversight

Beginning May 6, 2026, qualifying self-paced students count for the same state school funding weight as full-time students. Each student must have a licensed, qualified teacher employed by the local school agency. The agency must maintain and document student-to-teacher ratios that follow its policy and state board rules. It must require and document participation in instructional support, learning activities, coursework, and tests, and provide compliance records when requested. The law does not set a dollar amount or provide a payment to families.

Self-paced students get oversight and flexibility

Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah sets oversight rules for programs that measure learning through mastery rather than scheduled attendance. Local school agencies must assign each student a licensed, qualified teacher and maintain written program policies. Policies must cover continued enrollment, progress standards, equivalent instructional hours, and academic rigor and support comparable to attendance-based programs. They must also set school-year pacing, participation benchmarks, minimum teacher contact, maximum student-to-teacher ratios, and mastery of needed skills before advancement. Schools must verify identity and honest work at regular checkpoints, track growth and engagement, meet state testing and course-alignment rules, and provide compliance records on request. Agencies may use outside providers, but must coordinate with provider teachers and remain responsible for these duties. Students in the Statewide Online Education Program receive the required accountability, and the state board must set teacher-oversight standards. The board may waive some requirements for individual students whose proficiency is shown through approved tests, documented mastery, or other board-approved evidence. Waivers cannot remove the assigned teacher or tracking of student growth and engagement.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

R. Neil Walter
Republican • House

Cosponsors

John D. Johnson
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 116 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

Yes: 25 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/2/2026

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 4 • No: 0

House vote • 2/24/2026

House/ passed 3rd reading

Yes: 65 • No: 1

House vote • 2/18/2026

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 11 • No: 0