All Roll Calls
Yes: 160 • No: 23
UtahS.B. 582026 General SessionSenateWALLET
Public School Attendance Amendments
Sponsored By: Lincoln Fillmore (Republican)
Signed by Governor
EducationStudent Health and SafetyK-12 EducationLocal Education Agencies (LEAs)Public Education Data and Reporting
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Free kindergarten and half day choice
Beginning July 1, 2026, every district or charter board provides free kindergarten. Parents can request a half‑day option, and schools must tell parents about it at registration. If a school has more than 18 half‑day students, it must offer a dedicated half‑day class. The State Board picks a kindergarten assessment, and LEAs must test every student and report results and October 1 membership data.
Higher bar for educational neglect cases
Beginning July 1, 2026, a court cannot find educational neglect based on ordinary absences alone. It requires over 10 straight unexcused instructional days, or more than one‑tenth of the term unexcused. A finding also needs clear and convincing proof of poor progress and that the school followed required steps, or that the student is two years behind without needed services. Disagreeing with nonessential school philosophies, by itself, is not neglect.
Toilet training required for school enrollment
Starting with the 2026–2027 school year, students must be toilet trained to enroll in public school. Parents must confirm this during enrollment. Exemptions apply if a child’s condition is covered by child‑find, an IEP, or a Section 504 plan.
Attendance audits and district accountability
Beginning July 1, 2026, LEAs must keep accurate enrollment and attendance data, review it each year, train staff, and follow written attendance policies. The State Board sets data‑quality standards, audits LEAs, publishes reports, and gives technical help. If an LEA fails the standards, it must file a corrective plan within 60 days and send monthly progress reports. The State Board may withhold state funds until the LEA complies. Failures only about tracking excused absences do not trigger corrective action or withholding.
Clear attendance rules for all programs
Beginning July 1, 2026, the law defines attendance‑validated programs (scheduled classes with teacher interaction) and learner‑validated programs (competency or self‑paced). It sets how instructional days and hours are measured for each type. LEAs must set written rules for learner‑validated programs, including how progress and equivalent hours are counted. A student is truant for at least half a day in attendance‑validated programs, or by the LEA’s measure in learner‑validated programs, and cannot be marked truant more than once per day. Tardy means arriving after the start time set in LEA policy.
New categories for small K-12 providers
Beginning July 1, 2026, the law defines two small education provider types. A home‑based microschool is a registered business teaching 16 or fewer students at a residence and is not daycare. A micro‑education entity is a registered business teaching 100 or fewer students and is not daycare, a home‑based microschool, a private school, or a public school.
Schools may shift up to four days
Beginning July 1, 2026, a local board can reallocate up to 32 instructional hours (four days) for teacher prep or training. Two‑thirds of the board must approve this at a regular, publicly noticed meeting. The hours still count toward the school term. Parents must get the school calendar at least 90 days before the year starts.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Lincoln Fillmore
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Jason E. Thompson
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/4/2026
House/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 48 • No: 22
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
Yes: 26 • No: 0
House vote • 2/9/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 12 • No: 0
House vote • 2/9/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 12 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/28/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 29 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/27/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 26 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/27/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/22/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 1/21/2026
Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 1/21/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 3 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/19/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/11/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/11/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/6/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/6/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/6/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/5/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/4/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ concurs with House amendment
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/4/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ floor amendment
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
3/3/2026HouseBill Substituted by Sponsor in House Rules Comm
2/24/2026House/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact
2/10/2026HouseHouse/ comm rpt/ substituted
2/10/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/6/2026
Amended 3/5/2026 16:03:79
3/5/2026
Substitute #5
2/24/2026
Substitute #2
2/9/2026
Substitute #3
2/9/2026
Substitute #4
2/9/2026
Substitute #1
2/4/2026
Amended 1/22/2026 11:01:258
1/22/2026
Introduced
12/29/2025