The Utah House on Feb. 18 adopted a substitute to HB 40, school safety amendments, that tightened several requirements for school security hardware and training and added a penalty provision for certain improper relations between school staff and students.

Representative Wilcox, sponsor of the substitute, described the key elements: clarifying security glazing requirements for exterior windows near entry points; moving the safety assessment deadline from Dec. 31 to Oct. 15 so districts can align with the budget cycle; requiring camera feeds and panic alert devices to communicate directly with first responders; and requiring a universal access key box outside school buildings so first responders can gain access without damage.

Wilcox also said the bill incorporates training language related to "extortion" done through digital means as part of continuing school training on sexual abuse awareness, adding those materials alongside earlier training requirements. "We're adding extortion as part of that," Wilcox said, describing conversations with students and the sensitivity required when educating young people about phone-based exploitation.

The House adopted the correct fourth substitute and then passed the bill on a recorded vote of 69 yes, 2 no. Representative Wilcox said the substitute repaired earlier procedural confusion about substitutes and reflected negotiated language with the Senate on critical safety provisions.

The amendments aim to improve first-responder connectivity and physical security at probable risk points such as exterior entry windows, and to expand education to address emerging technology-enabled harms to students.

The bill will now go to the Utah Senate for further consideration.