Bill > HB0399

This bill amends several sections of Utah law related to education, primarily focusing on defining and restricting "character education" and enhancing requirements for ethnic studies and student data privacy. Key changes include redefining character education to encompass a broad range of social-emotional learning frameworks and practices, and prohibiting public entities from categorizing, measuring, tracking, or collecting data on students' character education, with parents retaining the sole authority to determine their child's character development. The bill also mandates that ethnic studies be incorporated into state core standards, requiring consultation with an Ethnic Studies Commission and allowing for the recognition of Utahns' diverse histories and perspectives. Furthermore, it clarifies parental consent requirements for certain student surveys and evaluations, removing the need for consent for social-emotional learning (SEL) questions while maintaining it for other sensitive information, and strengthens provisions for student data protection, particularly concerning early warning systems and the use of student data. The State Auditor is given new responsibilities to receive and investigate complaints regarding violations of character education restrictions and to potentially withhold funds from non-compliant public entities, with parents also gaining the right to sue for violations. Finally, the bill makes technical amendments to existing laws concerning health instruction and the functions of the State Auditor.

Education

https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0399.html