All Roll Calls
Yes: 193 • No: 0
UtahS.B. 1702025 General SessionSenate
School Discipline Amendments
Sponsored By: Luz Escamilla (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
EducationStudent Health and SafetyK-12 EducationSchool PersonnelState Board of Education
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Limits on physical force against students
Effective May 7, 2025, the law replaces older discipline sections with consolidated rules and bans school employees from using corporal punishment. Employees must first use the least restrictive available intervention, including a physical escort. Reasonable and necessary restraint is allowed only for self-defense, taking a weapon or dangerous object, preventing physical injury, removing a violent student, or protecting property when physical safety is at risk. Corporal punishment complaints must follow child abuse and neglect reporting and investigation rules. Evidence that conduct went beyond reasonable discipline may support civil or criminal liability.
Strict limits on secluding students
Schools cannot use seclusion for punishment, coercion, retaliation, humiliation, staff convenience, or lack of staff. For students in grade 1 or higher, seclusion is allowed only for an immediate, significant threat to themselves or others after less restrictive steps fail. A staff member familiar to the student must actively supervise throughout, and seclusion cannot exceed 30 minutes. Written district or charter school policies must cover authorized staff, permitted uses, monitoring, time limits, continuous review, documentation, records, and debriefing.
Parent notices and school safety accountability
Schools must notify parents immediately, no later than 15 minutes after an emergency safety intervention. Utah's education board must set training, reporting, parent-notice, data-review, and investigation rules, with specified information in the superintendent's annual report. Confirmed violations require prompt action, including staff training and other administrative steps, plus referrals to local law enforcement and the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission. Violations, including breaches of state seclusion or restraint standards, constitute unlawful detention subject to criminal penalties. Courts may act against employers that fail to take reasonable enforcement steps; schools and people have civil and criminal immunity for good-faith reporting or cooperation.
Some private schools can skip safeguards
A private or religious school can opt out of these emergency safety intervention requirements only by meeting all three conditions. It must receive no state funds, adopt an exemption policy, and notify parents. Students at schools using this exemption do not receive these protections through this law.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Luz Escamilla
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Ryan D. Wilcox
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/5/2025
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2025
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
Yes: 27 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2025
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2025
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2025
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 72 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2025
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 11 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2025
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 11 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2025
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/12/2025
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 28 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/11/2025
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/11/2025
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 23 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/4/2025
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/4/2025
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/25/2025Senate/ to Governor
3/17/2025SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/17/2025SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/7/2025SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/7/2025Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2025Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/6/2025Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
3/5/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/5/2025HouseSenate/ to House
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ concurs with House amendment
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ uncircled
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ circled
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
3/5/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ substituted
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/5/2025HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
3/4/2025HouseHouse/ comm rpt/ amended
3/4/2025HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
3/4/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/7/2025
Substitute #3
3/1/2025
Amended 2/27/2025 11:02:852
2/27/2025
Substitute #2
2/11/2025
Substitute #1
2/4/2025
Introduced
1/24/2025