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SALT LAKE CITY — The Legislature passed two bills Wednesday that seek to improve safety for students in the classroom.
A bill that would prevent convicted felony sex offenders from working with students in Utah passed the Senate without debate.
HB345 would permanently restrict convicted felony sex offenders from obtaining or renewing a teaching license in Utah. The bill also redefines the Utah State Board of Education as having the final say in teacher licensure.
Historically, the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission has handled cases of educator abuse. It was created as an advisory committee to the State School Board, but over time it was given rule-making authority that supersedes that of the board.
The bill would give that authority back to the State School Board and designate the commission as an advisory committee as was originally intended.
HB345 also amends provisions for volunteer educators. Currently, schools are required to run background checks on all adults that work with students. But because the process creates an "enormous burden" for schools, the bill would require that only volunteers who spend a "significant" amount of time with students pass a background check, said bill sponsor Sen. Aaron Osmond, R-South Jordan.
"We have fantastic educators in this state — fantastic, moral, loving educators who would do anything to protect children," Osmond said. "But on occasion, there's someone who takes advantage of children in our education system. These individuals must be stopped, and they must never be allowed to teach in education again — anywhere. And that's what this bill will ensure."
The Senate passed the bill unanimously, and it now goes to the governor.
HB213 seeks to provide students with more safety in virtual learning environments. The bill requires local school community councils to have in place the adequate infrastructure for Internet filtering on school devices.
Lawmakers say the bill is backed by numerous constituents, many of whom are parents who say their children were exposed to pornographic material on school devices. The bill requires schools that use personal devices, such as iPads, to ensure the filtering system is in place no matter where the devices are used.
HB213 also requires educators to talk with parents about how they can help their children to use the Internet safely.
The bill passed in a 23-1 Senate vote and it also awaits the governor's signature. Email: mjacobsen@deseretnews.com Twitter: MorganEJacobsen
