Bill > HB0517

This bill amends existing law to prohibit "sensitive materials" in public school settings, defining "instructional material" broadly to include textbooks, reading materials, videos, and digital content used to support student learning, but excluding library materials. "Sensitive material" is defined as either "objective sensitive material," which is pornographic or indecent based on strict, non-discretionary standards, or "subjective sensitive material," which is harmful or pornographic to minors based on a balancing of factors. The bill outlines a process for reviewing challenged materials, requiring LEAs (Local Education Agencies, which include school districts and charter schools) to remove materials deemed objectively sensitive and to conduct a review for subjectively sensitive materials, involving parents in that process. It also establishes a statewide removal threshold if a material is deemed objectively sensitive by a certain number of LEAs, though this can be overturned by the State Board of Education. The bill includes provisions for appeals, reporting requirements for the State Board, and legal protections for those enforcing the law, while also allowing LEAs to request arbitration agreements with students and parents regarding claims related to the enforcement of these provisions. Importantly, the prohibitions do not apply if enforcing them would violate the U.S. or Utah Constitutions, and the bill includes a clause for severability, meaning if any part is found unconstitutional, the rest of the law remains in effect.

Education

https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0517.html