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
13 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 9 mixed.
Funded stipends for eligible school guardians
Beginning May 6, 2026, eligible school guardians at participating schools receive a one-time stipend, subject to legislative funding. The state security chief certifies guardians who completed required training, remain active, and meet eligibility requirements. The state board sets each fiscal year's amount using funding, expected enrollment, and a reserve of up to 10%. Guardians receive the same amount within that year, with equal proration when enrollment exceeds projections and available funding. No dollar amount is fixed, and a guardian may receive only one stipend per fiscal year. The board announces amounts by August 1, or within 30 days of appropriations made after July 1. Payments are due within 60 days of certification, and unused funds carry forward. Leaving the program does not require repayment unless the guardian was ineligible or obtained payment through fraud or misrepresentation. School districts and charter schools may supplement state stipends with local money or fund them after state money runs out.
Parents get school safety portal data
Beginning July 1, 2028, parents using the parent portal can view required school-level safety information. The Utah State Board of Education must add the safety data specified in state law.
School protectors can share participation records
School guardians and Educator-Protector participants can access otherwise restricted participation records about each other at the same school. Guardian access to Educator-Protector records begins May 6, 2026. These access rights do not open the records to the general public.
On-duty officers gain broader response authority
Beginning May 6, 2026, certain special function officers can respond to situations they observe while on duty, beyond assigned locations. This applies to officers employed by an elected sheriff or a state or local law enforcement agency. They can perform related public-safety duties while waiting for local law enforcement officers to arrive.
More school workers can become protectors
Beginning May 6, 2026, more school and law enforcement employees qualify for school guardian-related rules. Their duties must require campus presence during school; teachers and mainly classroom-based workers remain excluded unless a stated exception applies. Separately, the Educator-Protector Program expands beyond teachers to eligible school employees. Participants need a valid concealed carry permit, required certifications, and classroom-response training completed within six months before joining. They must continue annual training and follow department rules. Stored firearms must stay in a biometric safe in their classroom or office while they are on school grounds. Sheriffs receive reasonable training-cost reimbursement only from appropriated funds.
School protectors get deadly-force investigation rules
Guardians and armed school guards who use deadly force must go on administrative leave while law enforcement investigates. The agency with primary jurisdiction over the school's location conducts the investigation. They do not have to submit the specified firearm-pointing incident report or take part in a voluntary interview. An interview they choose to give cannot occur sooner than two sleep cycles after the incident. Special function officers employed by law enforcement must follow the state's officer-involved-shooting protocol. The armed-guard procedures begin May 6, 2026.
School visitors face checks and privacy safeguards
Beginning May 6, 2026, schools adopting visitor protocols must control entry, identify visitors, and require sign-in and sign-out. They must monitor visitors, set response procedures, post entrance signs, and train staff annually. Schools must provide reasonable disability accommodations. Reasonable exceptions are allowed for listed emergencies, responders, qualifying foundation workers or volunteers, outdoor visits, and specified school events. Applicable safety assessments must review visitor rules, related infrastructure, and alignment with recommended practices. Electronic visitor systems must protect personal information, use it only for school safety, and notify visitors about collection. Schools must also follow Utah's government records law and applicable privacy laws.
School guardians face stricter firearm rules
Beginning May 6, 2026, on-duty guardians must carry firearms concealed on their person during school hours and keep them immediately accessible. School districts and charter schools must ensure carry during assigned duty hours. They cannot require or encourage storage that blocks immediate access during school hours. Temporary storage is allowed only for specified needs in a biometric safe in the guardian's office while the guardian stays on campus. The firearm must remain immediately retrievable. Storage is limited to 15 minutes per occasion unless an administrator approves a documented necessity. Open carry or display is prohibited except during an active threat.
School staff get wearable emergency alerts
Beginning May 6, 2026, schools must provide each classroom's lead teacher a wearable panic-alert device, based on the safety needs assessment. Devices must communicate directly with emergency call centers. Beginning July 1, 2027, schools must also provide devices to the school safety personnel specified in state law. The law includes no appropriation for these devices, leaving schools with implementation costs.
Schools face cybersecurity rules with state help
Beginning May 6, 2026, the Utah Cybersecurity Commission must set minimum cybersecurity standards for school districts and charter schools. Standards must follow recognized frameworks; phased deadlines must account for school system size, existing technology, resources, and risk. Covered areas include access controls, asset inventories, monitoring, vulnerabilities, incident response, staff training, vendor risks, and backups. Schools receive implementation guidance, technical help, and coordinated services through the Utah Education and Telehealth Network and state partners. Schools must report breaches to the Utah Cyber Center and notify the state board within 24 hours of discovery. They must cooperate with the center's response and coordinate with the network when its systems or services are involved. Each school system must share cybersecurity information, name a primary contact, and cooperate with statewide reviews and improvement efforts. A regional education agency can serve several systems but must coordinate compliance and document services for each.
Schools gain guardian training support
Beginning May 6, 2026, local law enforcement must assign staff time to guardian training when a school in its county chooses guardians. The county security chief sets adequate staff time, considering participating schools in the agency's direct jurisdiction. When a school district or charter school chooses a training designee, the chief can approve a qualified outside entity in writing. The entity must meet state standards and coordinate with local law enforcement. The county chief keeps oversight and final authority.
Schools gain guards but limit specialists
Beginning May 6, 2026, qualifying special function officers can serve as armed school security guards. Schools using this option must contract with the officer's employing law enforcement agency to provide guards at each school. Each campus must also name a safety and security specialist from its employees, subject to the exception in state law. A principal or classroom teacher cannot serve as that specialist.
Students face broader school device limits
Beginning May 6, 2026, students cannot use AI glasses or other covered technology during classroom hours unless school policy allows it. Beginning July 1, 2026, restrictions cover cellphones, smart watches, AI glasses, and emerging technology throughout school hours. Required exceptions cover imminent health or safety threats, school-wide emergencies, and use of the SafeUT Crisis Line. Schools must also allow use required by an IEP, a Section 504 disability plan, or medical necessity. School districts and charter schools can allow additional uses.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ryan D. Wilcox
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Ann Millner
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 24 • No: 1
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 • 3/3/2026
Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 3 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 71 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/17/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/5/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 2/5/2026
House Comm - Substitute 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