Utah 2026 General Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 1 D · 1 R cosponsors

SB 181 — School Discipline Amendments

Last action — Governor Signed

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 22, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Spencer Cox (Republican) on March 19, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 70% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (1 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

294 added · 331 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Bill SB 181 establishes clear safety standards for seclusion rooms in schools, focusing on physical requirements like room size, materials, and ventilation. Notably, it also includes provisions for required audio and video recording of all activities, ensuring transparency while complying with student privacy laws. The bill now removes a previously included grant program meant to help schools upgrade existing seclusion rooms, which may impact the ability of some schools to meet these new standards. This change matters because it emphasizes the importance of safety in seclusion rooms while raising questions about funding for necessary upgrades.

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SB0181S03 compared with SB0181 {Omitted text} shows text that was in SB0181 but was omitted in SB0181S03 inserted text shows text that was not in SB0181 but was inserted into SB0181S03 DISCLAIMER:
Enrolled Copy S.B.
This document is provided to assist you in your comparison of the two bills.
181 School Discipline Amendments GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
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Luz Escamilla House Sponsor:
Therefore, you need to read the actual bills.
Jason E.
This automatically generated document could contain inaccuracies caused by:
limitations of the compare program;
bad input data;
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School Discipline Amendments GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
Luz Escamilla House Sponsor:Jason E.
This bill establishes minimum safety standards for seclusion rooms in schools {and creates a one- time grant program to help a local education agency (LEA) bring existing rooms into compliance} .
This bill establishes minimum safety standards for seclusion rooms in schools.
▸ requires audio and video recording equipment that records all activities during seclusion {use B with one-year retention requirements} ;
▸ requires audio and video recording equipment that records all activities during seclusion;
1 ▸ ensures compliance with federal and state student privacy laws;
▸ ensures compliance with federal and state student privacy laws;
8 SB0181 compared with SB0181S03 ▸ ensures compliance with state and local fire and building codes;
▸ ensures compliance with state and local fire and building codes;
▸ {creates a one-time grant program with required matching funds to help an LEA modify existing rooms to meet the new standards;} ▸ {prohibits grant funds from being used to construct new seclusion rooms;} ▸ gives the State Board of Education authority to adopt additional rules for safety standards, compliance verification, and {grant } program administration;
▸ gives the State Board of Education authority to adopt additional rules for safety standards, compliance verification, and program administration;
None Other Special Clauses:
None S.B.
181 Enrolled Copy Other Special Clauses:
53G-8-301 , as repealed and reenacted by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 327 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
53G-8-301, as repealed and reenacted by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 327 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
53G-8-301.
53G-8-301 .
- 2 - SB0181 compared with SB0181S03 (e) "School" means a public or private elementary school, secondary school, or preschool.
(e) "School" means a public or private elementary school, secondary school, or preschool.
(2) (a) A school employee shall first use the least restrictive intervention available to the school employee, including a physical escort, to address circumstances described in Subsection (4).
(2)(a) A school employee shall first use the least restrictive intervention available to the school employee, including a physical escort, to address circumstances described in Subsection (4).
(b) Nothing in this section prohibits a school employee from subsequently using less restrictive interventions to address circumstances described in Subsection (4).
(b) Nothing in this section prohibits a school employee from subsequently using less - 2 - Enrolled Copy S.B.
(3) (a) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the state board shall make rules to:
181 restrictive interventions to address circumstances described in Subsection (4).
(3)(a) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the state board shall make rules to:
- 3 - SB0181 compared with SB0181S03 (b) The state board shall include [the information described in Subsection (3)(a)] data collected under Subsection (3)(a)(vii) in the State Superintendent's Annual Report described in Section 53E-1-203.
(b) The state board shall include [the information described in Subsection (3)(a)] data collected under Subsection (3)(a)(vii) in the State Superintendent's Annual Report described in Section 53E-1-203.
(5) (a) A school employee may not inflict or cause the infliction of corporal punishment upon a student.
(5)(a) A school employee may not inflict or cause the infliction of corporal punishment upon a student.
(d) Subject to the Rules of Evidence, evidence of corporal punishment that exceeds reasonable discipline under Section 76-2-401 may be used by a court to establish civil or criminal liability.
(d) Subject to the Rules of Evidence, evidence of corporal punishment that exceeds - 3 - S.B.
181 Enrolled Copy reasonable discipline under Section 76-2-401 may be used by a court to establish civil or criminal liability.
or - 4 - SB0181 compared with SB0181S03 (iii) except as provided in Subsection (10)(b), use seclusion:
or (iii) except as provided in Subsection (10)(b), use seclusion:
(ii) a student poses an immediate and significant threat to the student or others;
- 4 - Enrolled Copy S.B.
181 (ii) a student poses an immediate and significant threat to the student or others;
[and] (d) shall notify parents immediately, and not to exceed 15 minutes after the use, of any emergency safety intervention used on the parent's child, including seclusion or physical restraint[.] ;
[ and] (d) shall notify parents immediately, and not to exceed 15 minutes after the use, of any emergency safety intervention used on the parent's child, including seclusion or physical restraint[.] ;
and - 5 - SB0181 compared with SB0181S03 (iii) if the LEA determines that the threat continues and that less restrictive interventions remain ineffective, place the student back in seclusion for an additional period not to exceed 30 minutes, after which the process described in this Subsection (10)(e) shall be repeated if necessary.
and (iii) if the LEA determines that the threat continues and that less restrictive interventions remain ineffective, place the student back in seclusion for an additional period not to exceed 30 minutes, after which the process described in this Subsection (10)(e) shall be repeated if necessary.
(ii) adopts a policy of exemption from this section;
- 5 - S.B.
181 Enrolled Copy (ii) adopts a policy of exemption from this section;
and] [(ii) the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission established in Section 53E-6-501.] (13) - 6 - SB0181 compared with SB0181S03 (a) A violation of the physical standards for seclusion rooms established in Subsection (14) shall {result in} be addressed as follows:
and] [(ii) the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission established in Section 53E-6-501.] (13)(a) A violation of the physical standards for seclusion rooms established in Subsection (14) shall be addressed as follows:
(i){(A)} {notification to } notify the LEA's local school board or charter school governing board;
(A) notify the LEA's local school board or charter school governing board;
(ii){(B)} {development of } develop a corrective action plan;
(B) develop a corrective action plan;
and (iii) if {not corrected } the LEA fails to develop a corrective action plan or does not achieve compliance within a reasonable timeframe established by the state board, {referral to } the state board {for } shall take further action.
and (iii) if the LEA fails to develop a corrective action plan or does not achieve compliance within a reasonable timeframe established by the state board, the state board shall take further action.
(b) A violation of the use requirements in Subsection (10), including improper use of seclusion or physical restraint, failure to notify parents within the required time frame, or failure to properly document use, shall result in:
(b) A violation of the use requirements in Subsection (10), including improper use of seclusion or physical restraint, failure to notify parents within the required timeframe, or failure to properly document use, shall result in:
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(c) A violation that constitutes unlawful detention, including use of seclusion or physical restraint that does not meet the requirements of Subsection (10)(b) or involves prohibited conduct under Subsection (10)(a), shall:
(c) A violation that constitutes unlawful detention, including use of seclusion or physical restraint that does not meet the requirements of Subsection (10)(b) or involves - 6 - Enrolled Copy S.B.
181 prohibited conduct under Subsection (10)(a), shall:
(14) (a) If an LEA operates a seclusion room, the seclusion room shall comply with the standards described in this Subsection (14).
(14)(a) If an LEA operates a seclusion room, the seclusion room shall comply with the standards described in this Subsection (14) in accordance with the procedures and interim milestones established by the state board under Subsection (14)(i)(iv).
- 7 - SB0181 compared with SB0181S03 (c) A seclusion room shall meet the following physical standards:
(c) A seclusion room shall meet the following physical standards:
(ii) have a minimum distance of {seven } six feet between opposing walls;
(ii) have a minimum distance of six feet between opposing walls;
(vii) have walls that are part of the structural integrity of the building and may not consist of free- standing cells or portable units attached to existing walls or floors, except that manufactured safety units that are permanently anchored and bolted to the building structure and that meet all other requirements of this Subsection (14) are permitted;
(vii) have walls that are part of the structural integrity of the building and may not consist of free-standing cells or portable units attached to existing walls or floors, except that manufactured safety units that are permanently anchored and bolted to the building structure and that meet all other requirements of this Subsection (14) are permitted;
(e) A seclusion room shall meet the following ventilation and climate requirements:
- 7 - S.B.
181 Enrolled Copy (e) A seclusion room shall meet the following ventilation and climate requirements:
- 8 - SB0181 compared with SB0181S03 (ii) the door shall permit continuous visual and auditory monitoring by staff;
(ii) the door shall permit continuous visual and auditory monitoring by staff;
{and} (v) complies with applicable student privacy requirements{.} , including:
(v) complies with applicable student privacy requirements, including:
and (C) other applicable state and federal privacy laws;
and - 8 - Enrolled Copy S.B.
181 (C) other applicable state and federal privacy laws;
{(ii) {state school safety building standards;} } - 9 - SB0181 compared with SB0181S03 (iii){(ii)} other applicable building codes;
(ii) other applicable building codes;
and (iv){(iii)} relevant administrative rules.
and (iii) relevant administrative rules.
and (iv) {transition timelines } procedures and interim milestones for existing seclusion rooms to achieve compliance with this Subsection (14)by the deadline established in Subsection (15).
and (iv) procedures and interim milestones for existing seclusion rooms to achieve compliance with this Subsection (14), which procedures shall allow the LEA to determine a reasonable timeline for compliance as described in Subsection (15)(a)(i)(D).
{(15) } {(a) { Subject to legislative appropriation, the state board may establish a grant program to assist an LEA in modifying an existing seclusion room to comply with Subsection (14).} } {(b) {A grant under Subsection (15)(a):} } {(i) {may only be used to modify an existing seclusion room to achieve compliance with Subsection (14);} } {(ii) {may not be used to construct a new seclusion room;} } {(iii) {requires the LEA to provide matching funds equal to the grant amount, except that the state board may waive or reduce the matching requirement for an LEA that demonstrates financial hardship;
(15)(a) An LEA that operates or plans to construct a seclusion room shall:
and} } {(iv) { is contingent on the LEA's demonstration of compliance with Subsection (10).} } {(c) {In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the state board shall make rules to administer the grant program described in Subsection (15)(a), including:} } {(i) {application procedures;} } {(ii) {application timelines;} } {(iii) {eligibility criteria;} } {(iv) {procedures for evaluating applications;} } {(v) {required documentation;} } {(vi) {verification procedures for completed modifications;} } {(vii) {reporting requirements for grant recipients;
(i) report to the state board by December 31, 2026:
and} } - 10 - SB0181 compared with SB0181S03 {(viii) {procedures for recovery of grant funds if an LEA fails to achieve compliance.} } {(d) {In awarding grants under this Subsection (15), the state board shall give priority to an LEA that:} } {(i) {demonstrates significant safety deficiencies in an existing seclusion room;} } {(ii) {commits to implementing alternatives to seclusion;
(A) the location of each existing seclusion room;
or} } {(iii) {provides evidence that staff have received training in de-escalation techniques.} } {(e) {The grant program described in this Subsection (15) terminates on the earlier of:} } {(i) {the date that all appropriated funds are expended;
(B) the current compliance status of each existing seclusion room with the requirements of Subsection (14);
or} } {(ii) {June 30, 2029.} } (16){(15)} (a) An {existing seclusion room } LEA that {does not comply with the requirements of Subsection (14) on the effective date of this section may continue } operates or plans to {operate until} construct a seclusion room shall:
(C) any plans to construct new seclusion rooms;
(i) {July 1, 2027, if the LEA has applied for a grant under Subsection (15) or has an approved plan for achieving compliance;
and (D) the LEA's plan and timeline for achieving compliance with Subsection (14) for each existing and planned seclusion room;
or} report to the state board by December 31, 2026:
and (ii) provide updated reports as requested by the state board.
(ii){(A)} {July 1, 2028, if } the {LEA is actively implementing modifications to achieve compliance.} location of each existing seclusion room;
(b) This Subsection (15) does not exempt an LEA from compliance with the use requirements in Subsection (10).
(b){(B)} {An LEA operating a } the current compliance status of each existing seclusion room {under the transition period in } with the requirements of Subsection {(16)(a) shall:} (14);
(i){(C)} {ensure the room meets all safety requirements that can be reasonably implemented without major construction} any plans to construct new seclusion rooms;and (ii){(D)} {report to the state board on progress toward } the LEA's plan and timeline for achieving compliancewith Subsection (14) for each existing and planned seclusion room;
and (iii){(ii)} {prioritize student safety through enhanced supervision and monitoring procedures} provide updated reports as requested by the state board.
(c){(b)} This Subsection {(16) } (15) does not exempt an LEA from compliance with the use requirements in Subsection (10).
Effective date.
This bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.
- 9 - S.B.
3-5-26 4:10 PM - 11 -
181 Enrolled Copy This bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.
- 10 -
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Amendments

1 amendment

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Action History

  1. Governor Signed

  2. Senate/ to Governor

  3. Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing

  4. Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing

  5. Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate

  6. Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared

  7. Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling

  8. Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling

  9. Senate/ received from House

  10. House/ to Senate

  11. House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate

  12. House/ received from Senate

  13. Senate/ to House

  14. Senate/ concurs with House amendment

  15. Senate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar

  16. Senate/ received from House

  17. House/ to Senate

  18. House/ passed 3rd reading

  19. House/ floor amendment

  20. House/ substituted

  21. House/ 3rd reading

  22. House/ 2nd reading

  23. House/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar

  24. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0181S03

  25. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0181S03

  26. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0181S03

  27. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0181S03

  28. House/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact [House Rules Committee]

  29. House/ committee report favorable [House Education Committee]

  30. House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Education Committee]

  31. House/ to standing committee [House Education Committee]

  32. House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  33. House/ received from Senate

  34. Senate/ to House

  35. Senate/ passed 3rd reading

  36. Senate/ 3rd reading

  37. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0181S02

  38. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0181S02

  39. Senate/ passed 2nd reading

  40. Senate/ substituted

  41. Senate/ 2nd reading

  42. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0181S02

  43. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0181S02

  44. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0181S01

  45. Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar

  46. Senate/ comm rpt/ substituted [Senate Education Committee]

  47. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0181S01

  48. Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Education Committee]

  49. Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation [Senate Education Committee]

  50. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0181S01

  51. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0181S01

  52. Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Education Committee]

  53. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0181

  54. Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  55. Senate/ received bill from Legislative Research

  56. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0181

  57. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0181

  58. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed

  59. Bill Numbered but not Distributed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 102 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (102)

102 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety education
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 181?
SB 181 is sponsored by Jason E. Thompson (Republican) and Luz Escamilla (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 181?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 22, 2026. Enacted.
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