The Senate Education Committee unanimously recommended Senate Bill 105, sponsored by Senator Plumb, to the full Senate on Feb. 14. The bill establishes student privacy protections in public education by prohibiting schools from requiring students to undress or change clothing in view of others and by creating a presumption of compliance when single-occupancy or suitably private facilities are available.

Senator Plumb framed SB 105 as a straightforward student-privacy measure grounded in experiences from students and school staff. “This bill really is pretty basic,” she said, describing the core restriction: an LEA “may not require, invite or encourage a student to undress, change clothing or otherwise be in a state of full or partial undress in the presence of another individual.” She told the committee she had spoken with students and clinicians and cited cases in which students experienced emotional distress after images were taken in locker-room settings.

Witnesses representing civil-rights and mental-health organizations supported the measure. Marina Lowe, policy director with Equality Utah, told the committee the bill’s architectural solutions could benefit a wide range of students and community members. “If we think broadly and creatively we can often come up with solutions that benefit many, many individuals in our community,” she said. A retired pediatrician, Dr. Bill Cosgrove, and a 16-year-old student, Rachel Williams, also testified in favor of the bill.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about fiscal impacts and whether the bill imposes immediate construction requirements on districts. Senator Plumb and witnesses emphasized the bill contains no fiscal note and does not immediately require new construction; rather it presumes compliance when single-occupancy options exist and encourages local planning. “There’s nothing that is requiring any school districts to do anything right now,” a committee member summarized during questioning.

After brief public testimony, the committee voted to pass SB 105 to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation. The committee’s recommendation is unanimous. The measure now advances for additional consideration during the 2025 legislative session.