[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6367086,"mediaKeyId","2159211-34835770a9e1669de7d0ab71b6cc1076","parentId",2159211,"title","Committee backs bill to have K-12 immunization exemption follow student","audioSeconds",641,"startMs",116000,"endMs",757000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159211-34835770a9e1669de7d0ab71b6cc1076&start=116&end=757","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159211-34835770a9e1669de7d0ab71b6cc1076/thumbnail_116000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6367086/Utah/Committee-backs-bill-to-have-K-12-immunization-exemption-follow-student","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367086-2e7007b4ed5766f41d5871a5eec10851/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438530&Signature=ecVbgv~tB7S2nJ26eev1aaH0uJj7BAlq-yrDm0maibXSgtgYh57-mSB1d1rsQuSBSkpQl-7r22BsUAn62kRRuX3tuITcmRGlGm2ZMfwhnAv8~XxNd5j-fJ8wVQ2AkiSQVJ6lC--jR1oOW1VJicJxVVXN2pUu7tJjuySOe5STHCOzBtAvTwNcSjg9iW3cG0qmPeluQEynzmHivWYM9WJcKIY6fPITVh4a765kT-WNtl0OzTvFM79Ymvhw3qM7Br8WGA2c~BKtiMW6j-3DbtoS2jxiJzhoXUb1Galx~7nxI89C0kU~ew8olbRqFaWxAarmmjW7rqhIfjSsx9XIzZFvZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah State Legislature","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","A House Education Committee substitute vote Friday recommended House Bill 228, which would require an existing K-12 immunization exemption form to be kept in a student’s record and transferred when the student moves between public and charter schools, instead of obliging parents to repeat the online module and refile the form each time.

Supporters said the bill removes unnecessary administrative work for families and district staff while preserving parents’ right to decide whether to claim an exemption. Representative Lisenby, the bill sponsor, told the committee the bill “requires the form to be part of the record. So it follows the student.”

The bill’s nut graf: parents who claim an exemption already make the choice before they complete the form, sponsors said, and repeatedly requiring the online module and form when a child simply moves schools imposes time and cost on both families and school offices.

In committee discussion Representative Walter asked whether the bill would allow schools to stop collecting the information; Lisenby responded that the form would remain part of the student record and thus would not be eliminated from school records. Representative Peck asked whether parents would need to take any steps to effect the transfer and was told, “No. It will just be part of the student’s record.”

Public comment included remarks from medical and parent organizations. Chris Esseltine of the Utah Medical Association said his organization “respect[s] the right of parents to make decisions,” but urged that parents have an opportunity to revisit immunization decisions if a child’s medical status or the parents’ views change: “when they switch from one school to another, our member doctors would like to see the parents engage again in just the question of immunizations.”

Parents and advocacy groups testified in favor. \"Having the record of their child's immunization follow with the rest of the records is just really sensible,\" said Nina Wolf, a Davis County resident. Several speakers said the process is time-consuming; one parent estimated it took about 15 minutes per child each time it was submitted.

The committee voted to favorably recommend HB 228 by voice vote; no roll call was taken. The motion to recommend the bill passed unanimously.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Education Committee - January 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A House Education Committee substitute vote Friday recommended House Bill 228, which would require an existing K-12 immunization exemption form to be kept in a student’s record and transferred when the student moves between public and charter schools, instead of obliging parents to repeat the online module and refile the form each time.","taxTitle","2025 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah","taxId",78171,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6367069,"Panel unanimously backs substitute that removes affidavit requirement and child-abuse language from homeschool statute",2892,3370000,6262000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159211-34835770a9e1669de7d0ab71b6cc1076&start=3370&end=6262","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159211-34835770a9e1669de7d0ab71b6cc1076/thumbnail_3370000.jpg","/articles/6367069/Utah/Panel-unanimously-backs-substitute-that-removes-affidavit-requirement-and-child-abuse-language-from-homeschool-statute","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367069-6410e673e4f70510e2791dffdc11bac3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438530&Signature=erY7k8yrKmc0vCv-KAx4YbvnhwGuzNsS8CNPpIHPpLx1TC6EoMcl8x2t5oh0AsdqnytbM7X2GBp7CVBrCn9C71SaLlB-xgIAd1B4jkTKhWJps7pzzGgSLoTk8QNZgxXLv2zXkcaLtig9Lzc7XKZGU5kj7yioJXms1JtkPpdh5mOLzkJtJOuOelkVv6l05jYoN3WsobOZAOG9SdGtiWozc~0IQT-RglO4EH~615j-Gc02CSlgtprwju940YooKdtE3kdfGcA22LjY~G826q9dSarA7LB9rd2UNDoa6nNYvajNpy3r~hekf72SWTZXgI12bn~chdoyryAUxW9BcRHxLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Education Committee unanimously recommended the second substitute to House Bill 209, a measure that removes the annual affidavit/notice requirement for parents who choose to homeschool and strips a passage from current homeschool statute that had led some districts to treat homeschool parents as if they were subject to caregiver background-screening requirements.

Sponsor Representative Nicholeen Peck said the change stems from a 2023 statutory insertion (statute cited as 53G-6-204 in testimony) whose placement next to child-abuse language caused confusion and, in practice, prompted at least one district to require background checks of parents who filed affidavits. Peck said the original sponsor agreed the language should not have been placed with the homeschool section and supported removing it.

Peter Ivole, an attorney with the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, told the committee the substitute “removes references to those [abuse] statutes from the homeschool statute.” He stressed that the bill does not change existing criminal statutes or the state’s ability to investigate or prosecute child abuse: “All of those statutes are gonna be untouched by the bill… It will remain a crime for a parent or any other adult to abuse a child.”

Witnesses from multiple homeschool organizations and parents testified in favor, describing the affidavit as extra paperwork that produced no follow-up in many districts and, in at least one instance last year, led to lengthy delay and confusion. One parent, Elizabeth Madrid, described an affidavit she filed that the Davis School District initially rejected and later delayed acknowledgment for 135 days while staff and outside counsel corresponded; she testified the substitute would have prevented that summer-long uncertainty.

Committee members discussed implementation details and effects on existing scholarship programs (Utah Fits All) and dual-enrollment arrangements. Representative McPherson moved the second substitute and the committee unanimously voted to favorably recommend the bill as substituted. The transcript indicates unanimous voice votes; no roll-call tallies were recorded.","The committee unanimously recommended the second substitute to HB 209, which eliminates the recurring affidavit notice requirement for home educators and removes language in the homeschool statute that had led some districts to require background checks; sponsors and legal advocates said child-protection statutes remain intact and unchanged.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6367075,"Committee advances 'First Credential' bill to expand high-school credentials, concurrent enrollment",1754,1932000,3686000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159211-34835770a9e1669de7d0ab71b6cc1076&start=1932&end=3686","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159211-34835770a9e1669de7d0ab71b6cc1076/thumbnail_1932000.jpg","/articles/6367075/Utah/Committee-advances-First-Credential-bill-to-expand-high-school-credentials-concurrent-enrollment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367075-657c70bd4cd1c4ddcd42e7a219e55923/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438530&Signature=fB1JcNzkexMNoyo2bdzEYvNv-nF7UrgkM84Y47F9mFcXo~nZeE0x~SJu6HHDl8nHXOcwTL8fIExf92fsgp5WRG7BBcDDBHs0tDmLNXbhW6QYyhoDbJCA~E~BcCR~fFMCWzZuaPC~rzmXoS8nlgnyN61ZPBFAVOx1J9NZ5N2rZGN5IuTr5p-Qw2UV5wnfv-eOdGOpcPAIGvt5KFZHhDDXQBIfQQb7nlrX9CTtYZ7wVVYvCPIxglEFepPGPCVqxYL934pXyJS3dQmFEIlz~U71hyQ45GF576FnDm5gi2Ae2Nniq-JcsHkHm9VriRRo5qosHYcYpe0HrwCznX5JZhZjJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Education Committee voted unanimously to favorably recommend House Bill 260, a measure to establish a statewide First Credential program that expands existing efforts (previously known as PRIME) to incentivize high school students to complete transferable general-education credits or career/technical credentials before graduation.

Sponsor Representative Peterson and Deputy Commissioner Angie Stallings of the Utah System of Higher Education described the proposal as an expansion of current programs to include CTE, micro-credentials and stackable pathways. Representative Peterson said the goal is to raise the share of students leaving high school with an industry- or education-recognized credential; currently, she said, “only about 8% of our students are getting some type of certificate.”

Under the bill, a master plan would be produced to scale credentialing across the state, a vetted credential list would be maintained to ensure workforce alignment, and funding incentives and scholarships would be created. Testimony described a $3 million appropriation structure: $1,000,000 for scholarships and incentives, $500,000 for a master plan, $500,000 for developing credentials and teacher endorsements, and $1,000,000 for high school incentives and performance funding.

Deputy Commissioner Stallings emphasized oversight and partnership among K-12, higher education and employers and said the program will include performance funding that rewards LEAs when students complete a first credential and automatic acceptance of prior student work that meets credential standards. Lawmakers asked about transferability, AP/IB credit and the relationship with existing PRIME funds; sponsors said some funding and language carry forward from PRIME, scholarships had been awarded previously and the substitute adds funding for master planning and credential development.

The committee adopted the first substitute and then unanimously recommended the bill with no recorded roll-call tally.","House Education Committee unanimously recommended HB 260 (first substitute), which creates a statewide first-credential program to expand concurrent enrollment, career and technical education, micro-credentials and stackable credentials and funds a master plan and incentives with a $3 million appropriation described in testimony.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6367081,"Panel backs $500,000 emergency aid for schools with sudden spikes in English learners",1045,795000,1840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159211-34835770a9e1669de7d0ab71b6cc1076&start=795&end=1840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159211-34835770a9e1669de7d0ab71b6cc1076/thumbnail_795000.jpg","/articles/6367081/Utah/Panel-backs-500000-emergency-aid-for-schools-with-sudden-spikes-in-English-learners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6367081-b1dbe9267a1e6a32ce3d7ff499a43e18/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438530&Signature=H1R-V9ySpyO9r2V~z57JQICG5ErolmMRkfldYIfapD-dWTvTfNJwYs9gx93XxmWhV8lgOqYRmrtoF~ncfGnUMYjeSkS2-3bdyROEyiIiGY5C9WkIozCbFoY5~zT2ZTH0ce~QovH07wdV6SYMNygGm8N52-qRZNfxJjHgzYCYeWHi65jUyB6aMz4xlYnGFe3-keOtnQoXCx7R0ZAuvCPGxm0xifJ~O5WmJAkGjcSSM~0rexK2YXhv0fEFVoYB3h1eWafJ-RgCImzHI~S8Em4ZP1APwCGZDDj5XrTx7lVXrr9x4ZdxZ8G2~Zj1N3HEZnzXIdUVslXwa4QLHY3vJxrCZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Education Committee unanimously passed a first substitute for House Bill 42, a measure that would establish an emergency funding mechanism to help schools that experience a sharp, early-year increase in English learner (EL) students.

Sponsor Representative Perucci told the committee the bill gives schools a “shot in the arm” when large numbers of newcomers arrive between initial estimates and the October 1 count, noting that districts have reported sometimes severe enrollment shocks: “One school had almost 100 students show up on the first day of school who'd never been registered and didn't speak English,” she said.

Under the substitute, eligible schools that document severe increases would apply to the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) for short-term funding to cover immediate needs such as additional certified EL teachers, WIDA assessments and other first-year supports; the transcript and sponsor materials tie eligibility to percentage increases and a floor of 30 additional students to avoid distortions driven by very small baselines.

Sponsor testimony cited district and charter data showing double- and triple-digit percentage increases in EL enrollments in recent years (examples cited included Alpine School District at 139% and Jordan School District at 108%, while some charters reported increases in the hundreds of percent). The substitute narrows the appropriation in the bill to $500,000 on the sub, and sponsor testimony noted a currently available $300,000 “slush fund” in the at-risk account that could be tapped as funding is available.

Supporters from Voices for Utah Children, the Utah Superintendents Association, PTA representatives and local officials testified in favor. Liliana Bolanos, policy analyst with Voices for Utah Children, urged the committee to consider access for historically high-need schools that may not clear the percentage thresholds under the bill’s current criteria.

The committee adopted the first substitute and then voted to favorably recommend HB 42, first substitute, by voice vote. The committee record shows unanimous support; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.","The committee unanimously recommended a first substitute to HB 42, creating a $500,000 emergency fund to help schools with large, sudden increases in English learner enrollment and authorizing USBE to consider applications based on early-year counts and WIDA assessments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee backs bill to have K-12 immunization exemption follow student

Panel unanimously backs substitute that removes affidavit requirement and child-abuse language from homeschool statute

Committee advances 'First Credential' bill to expand high-school credentials, concurrent enrollment

Panel backs $500,000 emergency aid for schools with sudden spikes in English learners