[{"_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",6361142,"mediaKeyId","2171016-831661b9b9e673e70bdeacec4edd8486","parentId",2171016,"title","Committee advances HB 269 after extensive public comment on sex-designated campus housing","audioSeconds",4603,"startMs",2600000,"endMs",7203000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171016-831661b9b9e673e70bdeacec4edd8486&start=2600&end=7203","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171016-831661b9b9e673e70bdeacec4edd8486/thumbnail_2600000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6361142/Utah/Committee-advances-HB-269-after-extensive-public-comment-on-sex-designated-campus-housing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361142-04fde4521012e9065fade8b2960858b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437737&Signature=AKKvhAAJYx27kI600DU5dxDTLINbI~~qtR9IO3F5LZhScHb4HXIQBt1Pg6pWqv~V8mxXm8bTUAmXQBRFyxaVBEzicYqvFkvakcgstgpENuWKJ4OzPMbk62qgKI0xxc1f5qUrKl-mmuAcPu93415~oPeL~~VMxy5JX~YMtb4RtZT2BCAIEsRGuzpbSLr5e3uZn~WdVjOQEEk7Ytt6kJHE~3-dFsxrifRQO2W5CohdSqYNwfEHkGm1W9Sx1I0m~66Bln4Bp38DG4TvFuS9X4I2-ZdpvzN4nJ5DfaK0GeZ3pMEJWSFA6AZZtnMpkVPeGpLSXsfNOQI707Ix0hwIDK9Klg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah State Legislature","date","2025-01-30T00:00:00Z","article","The committee voted 5–1 to send substitute HB 269, Privacy Protections in Sex-Designated Areas, to the full Senate after a lengthy public-comment period in which students, parents, university-affiliated residents and civil-rights and advocacy groups spoke for and against the measure.

Senator Brammer presented the bill and described the substitute as doing two principal things: first, in sex-designated dormitories or dwellings the bill requires that occupants \"must correspond to their birth biological sex\" (as stated by the sponsor in committee); second, it requires institutions of higher education to provide non–sex-designated housing options where biological sex is not a condition for residency. The sponsor said the substitute narrows prior language and that the universities must make alternative housing available.

Public testimony was extensive and divided. Opponents included students currently living in campus housing and transgender advocacy and civil-rights organizations who argued the universities already had procedures to reassign roommates and that the bill would force outing of transgender students, increase the risk of harassment, and impose state intervention in roommate disputes. Equality Utah's director, Troy Williams, asked the committee to \"seek solutions that protect the freedom, the liberty, and the housing of all students in Utah\" and urged mediation and campus-led responses. Several university students, including a university resident assistant who said she was doxxed after a housing dispute, described harassment they had experienced and urged the committee not to pass a law that would further target transgender students.

Supporters included parents and advocacy groups who said women deserve protected female-only housing and described incidents where female students said they were placed unexpectedly in living situations they found unacceptable. Avery Saltzman, who identified herself as a student and said she was relocated after learning a resident assistant identifying as female was male-assigned at birth, described feeling \"shocked and immediately panicked\" and said she was told to relocate by residence-hall staff. Parent speakers and women's-rights advocates said the substitute preserves options, including a checkbox for gender-specific or inclusive housing.

Committee discussion acknowledged the strong emotions on both sides. Several senators expressed appreciation for the civil testimony; Senator Riebe opposed the bill in committee saying it was \"government overreach\" and \"a solution looking for a problem.\" The motion to favorably recommend the substitute passed 5–1, with Senator Eby recorded in opposition.

Sponsors said universities will still be required to offer non–sex-designated housing; opponents warned the law could lead to forced outings and increased harm to transgender students. The substitute now advances to the full Senate, where further debate and amendment are expected.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Education Committee - January 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee approved substitute HB 269 on a 5–1 vote. The substitute requires occupants of sex-designated dorms to correspond to biological sex at birth and directs universities to provide non–sex-designated housing options; public testimony included many students and advocacy groups both for and against the bill.","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},6361146,"Committee approves bill allowing political parties to use larger college venues for conventions",234,2324000,2558000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171016-831661b9b9e673e70bdeacec4edd8486&start=2324&end=2558","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171016-831661b9b9e673e70bdeacec4edd8486/thumbnail_2324000.jpg","/articles/6361146/Utah/Committee-approves-bill-allowing-political-parties-to-use-larger-college-venues-for-conventions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361146-65e3f12e762d75b71792327d1436efe9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437737&Signature=o6ZTO~O3OWFqrWEDwlZyS-4LpOj2XvUXvvaksId~XueCUuUFz4PVvSO0mkmDOIqxvLf2Jn5~HZWYBXGUqkk1HU6zeDRc0gMLxRSwchKZv0-00hrFL8sXzeAxXQD23~FPV-q4KrebDXZRzmPmkPHRwvDzXQSg5XseKOKR37mxF397EjFt0khAY5vn48WaGj6hkvjxySNiYRFCHJKtsdjUsuhKhNqElNjtI3QnlYNWoNNtuT7UwidwV8lkkAiDmB--HemtJR~JCAwx5Gaj9f9N-o9LS7Q~~ruWkrcgIgyOEgSmaNfS23thxsQ9O8msqTFFF-PukNQTJMa0UFPOfo7CTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee unanimously recommended SB 118, Political Party Procedures Amendments, which expands access for recognized political parties to use larger college campus venues for caucus nights and conventions while requiring reimbursement for actual costs.

Sponsor Senator Brammer told the committee the measure extends existing policy that lets parties use school facilities for caucus night and applies it to larger convention venues on college campuses, often needed for larger turnout. The bill requires parties to reimburse institutions for any direct costs and does not change existing reimbursement expectations.

Senator Baldry, a former political-party secretary who manages scheduling for precincts, said expanded venue options would have been helpful and voiced full support. The committee heard no public opposition during the session and the sponsor asked that the bill be placed on consent; the committee agreed.

SB 118 will be placed on consent for the full Senate calendar.","SB 118 permits recognized political parties to use larger college venues for caucus/convention events and requires reimbursement for costs; committee passed the bill unanimously and placed it on consent.",{"_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},6361151,"Committee advances bill to separate private/home school online program administration",972,1324000,2296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171016-831661b9b9e673e70bdeacec4edd8486&start=1324&end=2296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171016-831661b9b9e673e70bdeacec4edd8486/thumbnail_1324000.jpg","/articles/6361151/Utah/Committee-advances-bill-to-separate-privatehome-school-online-program-administration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361151-5f0dd689de93821092892e841c2dacfa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437737&Signature=iIbiBGSE8PtK5D71Yxi5DxycsHHR4D~BGT3JeZ1rCQ8-MaazZEw3NxQwWX14FcSYaGQCMNhDA5A3UnKK14K2kLJOWdCE7Q1j67Hk31XybuXGrT6ICin5VCPMX19b0DeXsctireF6sfCeMJuIPo57irRoRDKWNkrDyr0~VkaUS8BOkzmuFAdqAm97cuiBpiF~kOZfhSVNV8QAKSeLus3-8LQgYHF5qwUpWxCzo745-nVQ-WSi54YIt3PAwlOMWbjSxnONXmwHVu9vbpu8a9aLkyehDtJpiTm18~VTqqUP4dBwGkS2WbnvXzUfoxVeg6-AyiWFqCkd673pqsr~2Mof0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee voted 5–1 to send SB 137, Course Choice Empowerment, to the full Senate after a sponsor presentation and public comment. The bill instructs the state office to contract for a program manager to administer online course options for private-school and homeschool students separately from public-education administration while leaving existing funding line items unchanged.

Senator Cullimore, the bill sponsor, said the statewide online education program (SOEP) already serves public, private and homeschool students and that SB 137 \"maintains that program\" while creating separate administration for the private/home-school side so rules and procurement can be tailored to those students. Cullimore said funding would come from existing line items and that private/home-school students would still access courses that may not be available locally.

Committee members questioned whether students receiving the Utah Fits All scholarship (also described in testimony as an ESA/scholarship program currently in litigation) could access SOEP courses and whether caps apply. The sponsor and witnesses stated students can take SOEP courses in parity with other students; committee testimony stated students are capped at \"up to six courses a year.\" Senator Riebe voiced concern that proceeding while litigation over the Utah Fits All program is unresolved was premature; she opposed the bill on that basis.

Public witnesses included Katie Colosimo, director of the Utah Private Schools Association and principal of Juan Diego Catholic High School, who described private-school use of SOEP and urged passage; Jonathan Bejarano, a Highland resident, questioned administrative fees and an 8% program fee referenced in the fiscal note; and Monica Wilbur said the program duplicates school-choice features and risked \"double dipping\" for scholarship recipients. Sponsor Cullimore replied that the bill preserves parental choice and was consistent with how scholarship recipients were contemplated under Utah Fits All.

The motion to favorably recommend SB 137 carried 5–1, with Senator Riebe recorded in opposition. The bill will proceed to the full Senate for additional debate and possible amendment.","SB 137 would bifurcate administration of the statewide online education program (SOEP) so private and homeschool students have a separately administered program manager; committee approved 5–1 amid debate over scholarship parity and fiscal details.",{"_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},6361155,"Senate committee backs bill requiring brief parental education on student technology use",1159,74000,1233000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171016-831661b9b9e673e70bdeacec4edd8486&start=74&end=1233","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171016-831661b9b9e673e70bdeacec4edd8486/thumbnail_74000.jpg","/articles/6361155/Utah/Senate-committee-backs-bill-requiring-brief-parental-education-on-student-technology-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361155-e9e2721111b51d2bd2e4c4ecbb431d8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437737&Signature=hSXKrRPZJ5~QcbOBkAqnIJNDPX7uSx58fJLrxalWypOhUOLDJhnl~4-F50caTMUpHsKvSYjZcWKqg52BeJ25Lh88Co-cCvaScHEG2KZU74ISq-EH5iyVUn6eQGto8uGUyn9i6FXJxTHyhPLGRcOHZXiVVLnId9dN1LmDbb-BBtyHFjOhTMOTddyhUCCxIFpfM1zE1BRP0SsrHylhHEKbkHjbeoq22pEHTlkkWghGgERNbBIK1v~36R1c6z6dbxYz95vNTKoWEgR3EFnfUSi2ZO9Xx9dw3B-kgbxqMnY9K2wDFSggmQg3PGl0-2XZDLXZTQ8znGsdZ4jiwLaBfrAlkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators on the committee voted to give a favorable recommendation to SB 98, Parental Education on Student Use of Technology, after the sponsor and law-enforcement and attorney general representatives described a plan to produce a brief video for parents about safety and legal issues students may encounter online.

The bill, sponsored in committee by Senator Wilson, asks the Utah State Board of Education to develop a concise video for parents outlining safety and legal risks associated with student use of technology and social media. Senator Wilson told the committee the working group that drafted the proposal included the Utah Attorney General's office, the Utah Courts, the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, the Utah Association of School Resource Officers, the sentencing commission and other stakeholders.

Detective Chris Ruiz, a school resource officer with the Pleasant Grove Police Department and president of the Utah Association of School Resource Officers, told the committee he frequently encounters unreported incidents of students exchanging sexually explicit images and said parents are often unaware of those incidents. \"When it is reported and it comes across my desk, many times ... parents are unaware that their child has been involved,\" Ruiz said, urging preemptive education for parents.

Erin Winn of the Office of the Utah Attorney General described national reporting trends and said the office sees an \"urgent need for awareness and protective measures\"; she cited National Center for Missing and Exploited Children data presented to the committee and urged parental education to reduce harm. Senator Wilson said the bill is paired with an application-for-proposal (RFA) request for $100,000 to support a public outreach campaign directing parents to the video and related resources managed by the state Office of Families.

Public commenters included Corinne Johnson, president of Utah Parents United, who said schools have introduced sensitive topics such as sexting to students without parental notice and urged passage, and Jonas Rodriguez, who voiced broad support for protecting children. Committee members asked few clarifying questions.

The motion to favorably recommend SB 98 as amended passed unanimously; the chair recorded the committee's ruling as unanimous and noted an online aye from Senator Filmore.

SB 98 will move to the full Senate for further consideration, where sponsors indicated they expect to amend the language on the Senate floor to specify a \"brief video\" rather than a longer presentation.","Senators favorably recommended SB 98, which directs the state board to produce a short video for parents about student technology risks; bill sponsors cited sexting, online solicitation and a planned $100,000 outreach RFA.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances HB 269 after extensive public comment on sex-designated campus housing

Committee approves bill allowing political parties to use larger college venues for conventions

Committee advances bill to separate private/home school online program administration

Senate committee backs bill requiring brief parental education on student technology use