All Roll Calls
Yes: 147 • No: 0
UtahH.B. 4482026 General SessionHouseWALLET
Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind Amendments
Sponsored By: Stephen L. Whyte (Republican)
Signed by Governor
EducationK-12 EducationSchool FinanceState Board of EducationPublic Education Data and ReportingSchool FacilitiesUtah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Clearer school roles for disabled students
Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (USDB) must support local school agencies statewide. Services for deaf, blind, or deafblind students must follow their individualized education program or Section 504 plan. Eligible students can receive services locally or at a USDB facility. USDB can become the designated school agency through team placement decisions, local agency approval, and a signed partnership agreement. USDB reports academic progress, while the local agency monitors it and retains overall legal responsibility. Both agencies must preserve federal rights covering assessment, eligibility, services, placement, and procedural protections.
New enrichment programs for disabled students
Beginning July 1, 2026, USDB has two statewide, family-friendly enrichment programs that add to required education services. One serves deaf and hard-of-hearing students; the other serves blind and visually impaired students, regardless of other USDB services. Revenue distributed from USDB’s permanent trust funds pays for the programs; the law sets no dollar amount. Local school agencies must plan to notify qualifying students, including deafblind students, or give USDB directory information for notices. USDB can use that information only for program notices, and parents can opt out at any time.
School services can include eligible relatives
Beginning July 1, 2026, the State Board of Education can adopt rules allowing USDB services for some relatives without qualifying disabilities. The person must live in Utah, be under 22, and be a direct relative of someone eligible for USDB services. The person’s local school agency must count the student and send associated funding to USDB. Access depends on the board adopting rules that allow these services.
Families help guide specialized school services
Beginning July 1, 2026, USDB is a State Board of Education agency operating as one statewide school agency across multiple campuses. Its model includes deaf, blind, and deafblind programs and the Parent Infant Program. A new advisory council includes blind, deaf, and deafblind people, parents, and a nonvoting state board member. Parent members include families of deafblind children and children receiving outreach services, as well as blind or deaf children. The council advises the board, serves as USDB’s school community council, and recommends entrance policies and enrichment program design.
Tuition required for nonresident school services
Beginning July 1, 2026, State Board of Education rules must require tuition for nonresidents receiving USDB services. The law does not set the tuition amount.
Districts must help house specialized schools
Beginning July 1, 2026, districts with USDB-served residents must make good-faith efforts to provide program space and sign use agreements. The state board oversees long-term facility planning with the Division of Facilities Construction and Management. Before seeking state facility or property funding, it must exhaustively review relevant local school facilities, including shared-space options. After that search, a district identified with a critical number of USDB students must provide property by agreement. The regional facility must be on or beside high school property, where USDB can act as students’ designated school agency. Funding requests require public board review and submission to the Transportation and Infrastructure Appropriations Subcommittee; this law provides no construction appropriation.
Student funding shifts to specialized schools
Beginning July 1, 2027, the funding rule applies when USDB becomes a student’s designated local education agency. The local agency of record still counts the student in its average daily membership. It must send USDB 95% of qualifying student-related per-pupil, state, or federal funding to support that student’s education. USDB receives the money instead of the local agency; families do not receive a cash payment.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Stephen L. Whyte
Republican • House
Cosponsors
John D. Johnson
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 23 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/26/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 24 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 3 • No: 0
House vote • 2/18/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 67 • No: 0
House vote • 2/18/2026
House/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/9/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
House vote • 2/9/2026
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
House vote • 2/9/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/26/2026House/ to Governor
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/4/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/4/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/3/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/3/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
2/27/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/27/2026HouseSenate/ to House
2/27/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
2/27/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/27/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
2/27/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
2/26/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd reading
2/26/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
2/25/2026SenateSenate/ committee report favorable
2/25/2026SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/24/2026Senate/ to standing committee
2/20/2026SenateSenate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/19/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/18/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/18/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
2/18/2026HouseHouse/ floor amendment
2/18/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
2/18/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/4/2026
Amended 2/19/2026 13:02:302
2/19/2026
Amended 2/10/2026 09:02:207
2/10/2026
Substitute #1
2/9/2026
Introduced
1/30/2026