The Utah House adopted a substituted version of HB 40, School Safety Amendments, that updates building and technology requirements for school safety.

Representative Wilcox, sponsor of the bill, said the fourth substitute clarifies “security glazing on the windows” around entry points, moves the safety assessment deadline from Dec. 31 to Oct. 15 to align with school reporting and budget cycles, and requires camera feeds and panic-alert device feeds “to communicate directly with first responders,” which the sponsor said was the original legislative intent. The substitute also requires a universal access key box outside school buildings to give first responders expedited access; the sponsor said most districts already provide such access but this clarifies it in statute.

The bill adds a criminal penalty provision for school staff who have sexual relations with an 18-year-old high school student, according to the sponsor’s floor summary, and expands training provisions to include “extortion”-type conduct as part of previously enacted training on sexual exploitation and abuse.

The House adopted the correct substitute and passed first substitute HB 40 by a vote of 69-2. The sponsor said the changes reflect negotiated language agreed with the Senate and align the statute with operational needs of school districts and first responders.

Ending: HB 40 will be sent to the Senate for consideration; its language refines physical security standards and municipal reporting deadlines, requires communications integration between school security systems and first responders, and clarifies access tools for emergency entry.