Utah 2026 General Session Status: Enacted 2 R cosponsors

SB 312 — Educator License 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 February 19, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Spencer Cox (Republican) on March 26, 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

Advancing 54% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).

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

230 added · 251 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Bill SB 312 establishes a clearer set of rules regarding when teachers who have lost their licenses can work or volunteer in public schools. It outlines that if a teacher's license is revoked due to serious misconduct, they cannot be employed or volunteer in any capacity at a public school immediately. For cases without serious misconduct, restrictions only apply if there’s written evidence showing a risk to students. These changes are important because they aim to enhance student safety by ensuring that educators with problematic histories do not have access to school environments.

→
Previous
Latest
SB0312S01 compared with SB0312 {Omitted text} shows text that was in SB0312 but was omitted in SB0312S01 inserted text shows text that was not in SB0312 but was inserted into SB0312S01 DISCLAIMER:
Enrolled Copy S.B.
This document is provided to assist you in your comparison of the two bills.
312 Educator License Amendments GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
Sometimes this automated comparison will NOT be completely accurate.
Therefore, you need to read the actual bills.
This automatically generated document could contain inaccuracies caused by:
limitations of the compare program;
bad input data;
or other causes.
Educator License Amendments GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
Johnson House Sponsor:Doug Welton 3 LONG TITLE General Description:
Johnson House Sponsor:
Doug Welton 3 LONG TITLE General Description:
▸ enacts provisions governing restrictions on employment and volunteer service following B disciplinary action;
▸ enacts provisions governing restrictions on employment and volunteer service following disciplinary action;
3 ▸ modifies notice requirements for disciplinary proceedings;
▸ modifies notice requirements for disciplinary proceedings;
and 1 SB0312 compared with SB0312S01 ▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
and ▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
53E-6-603 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 327 53E-6-604 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 20 53E-6-607 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 186 53E-6-901 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 22 ENACTS:
53E-6-603, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 327 53E-6-604, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 20 S.B.
53E-6-604.5 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
312 Enrolled Copy 53E-6-607, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 186 53E-6-901, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 22 ENACTS:
53E-6-604.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
53E-6-603.
53E-6-603 .
- 2 - SB0312 compared with SB0312S01 (e) was convicted of a sexual offense under Title 76, Chapter 5, Part 4, Sexual Offenses, against a minor child;
(e) was convicted of a sexual offense under Title 76, Chapter 5, Part 4, Sexual Offenses, against a minor child;
and (iii) (A) is enrolled in an LEA where the license applicant or educator is employed;
and (iii)(A) is enrolled in an LEA where the license applicant or educator is employed;
or (h) admits to the state board or UPPAC that the license applicant or educator committed conduct that amounts to:
or - 2 - Enrolled Copy S.B.
312 (h) admits to the state board or UPPAC that the license applicant or educator committed conduct that amounts to:
or] [(b) allow the person to volunteer in the public school.] (3) (a) If an individual is ineligible for licensure under Subsection (2), a public school may not:
or] [(b) allow the person to volunteer in the public school.] (3)(a) If an individual is ineligible for licensure under Subsection (2), a public school may not:
- 3 - SB0312 compared with SB0312S01 (c) The restriction described in Subsection (3)(a) does not apply automatically to an individual who is ineligible for licensure under Subsection (1) if the underlying conduct involved:
(c) The restriction described in Subsection (3)(a) does not apply automatically to an individual who is ineligible for licensure under Subsection (1) if the underlying conduct involved:
(4) (a) If the state board denies licensure under this section, the state board shall immediately notify the applicant of:
- 3 - S.B.
312 Enrolled Copy (4)(a) If the state board denies licensure under this section, the state board shall immediately notify the applicant of:
53E-6-604.
53E-6-604 .
(1) (a) The state board shall direct UPPAC to investigate an allegation, administrative decision, or judicial decision that evidences an educator is unfit for duty because the educator exhibited behavior that:
(1)(a) The state board shall direct UPPAC to investigate an allegation, administrative decision, or judicial decision that evidences an educator is unfit for duty because the educator exhibited behavior that:
- 4 - SB0312 compared with SB0312S01 (c) pled guilty to a felony of a sexual nature;
(c) pled guilty to a felony of a sexual nature;
(ii) is not a minor;
- 4 - Enrolled Copy S.B.
and (iii) (A) is enrolled in an LEA where the educator is employed;
312 (ii) is not a minor;
and (iii)(A) is enrolled in an LEA where the educator is employed;
(5) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (5)(b), upon review of UPPAC's findings and recommendation, the state board may:
(5)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (5)(b), upon review of UPPAC's findings and recommendation, the state board may:
or - 5 - SB0312 compared with SB0312S01 (vii) take other action the state board finds to be appropriate for and consistent with the educator's behavior.
or (vii) take other action the state board finds to be appropriate for and consistent with the educator's behavior.
(B) is not a minor;
- 5 - S.B.
312 Enrolled Copy (B) is not a minor;
Section 3 is enacted to read:
Section 53E-6-604.5 is enacted to read:
- 6 - SB0312 compared with SB0312S01 53E-6-604.5.
53E-6-604.5 .
(iii) involved {recordkeeping } record keeping mistakes;
(iii) involved record keeping mistakes;
or (v) constituted a technical violation of licensing standards that lacks evidence of actual harm or credible risk of harm to students.
or (v) constituted a technical violation of licensing standards that lacks evidence of - 6 - Enrolled Copy S.B.
Show all 65 changed rows (25 more)
Previous
Latest
(2) (a) {If } Beginning with cases opened on or after May 6, 2026, if the state board revokes an educator's license under Subsection 53E-6-604(5)(b) or for qualifying serious misconduct, a public school may not:
312 actual harm or credible risk of harm to students.
(2)(a) Beginning with cases opened on or after May 6, 2026, if the state board revokes an educator's license under Subsection 53E-6-604(5)(b) or for qualifying serious misconduct, a public school may not:
(3) (a) If the state board revokes an educator's license for conduct that does not constitute qualifying serious misconduct under Subsection (2), the restriction described in Subsection (2)(a) applies only if the state board issues written findings that:
(3)(a) If the state board revokes an educator's license for conduct that does not constitute qualifying serious misconduct under Subsection (2), the restriction described in Subsection (2)(a) applies only if the state board issues written findings that:
- 7 - SB0312 compared with SB0312S01 (b) If the state board does not issue the written findings described in Subsection (3)(a),a public school may employ the educator in a capacity that does not require a license or allow the educator to volunteer in the public school, subject to:
(b) If the state board does not issue the written findings described in Subsection (3)(a), a public school may employ the educator in a capacity that does not require a license or allow the educator to volunteer in the public school, subject to:
(4) (a) If the state board suspends an educator's license for qualifying serious misconduct, a public school may not, during the period of suspension:
(4)(a) If the state board suspends an educator's license for qualifying serious misconduct, a public school may not, during the period of suspension:
(5) (a) If the state board suspends an educator's license for conduct that does not constitute qualifying serious misconduct under Subsection (4), the restriction described in Subsection (4)(a) applies during the period of suspension only if the state board issues written findings that:
(5)(a) If the state board suspends an educator's license for conduct that does not constitute qualifying serious misconduct under Subsection (4), the restriction described in Subsection (4)(a) applies during the period of suspension only if the state board issues written findings that:
and (ii) explain why allowing the educator to work or volunteer in a public school during the suspension period, even in a capacity not requiring a license, would be insufficient to protect student safety.
and (ii) explain why allowing the educator to work or volunteer in a public school during the suspension period, even in a capacity not requiring a license, would be - 7 - S.B.
(b) If the state board does not issue the written findings described in Subsection {(3)(a)} (5)(a), the educator may, during the period of suspension:
312 Enrolled Copy insufficient to protect student safety.
(b) If the state board does not issue the written findings described in Subsection (5)(a), the educator may, during the period of suspension:
{(4) } {(a) {If the state board suspends an educator's license for qualifying serious misconduct, a public school may not, during the period of suspension:} } {(i) {employ the educator in the public school in a paid or unpaid capacity;
(6) The state board may not issue a restriction described in Subsection (2)(a) or (4)(a) for a technical violation unless:
or} } {(ii) {allow the educator to volunteer in the public school.} } - 8 - SB0312 compared with SB0312S01 {(b) {The restriction described in Subsection (4)(a) applies automatically upon the effective date of the license suspension.} } {(5) } {(a) {If the state board suspends an educator's license for conduct that does not constitute qualifying serious misconduct under Subsection (4), the restriction described in Subsection (4)(a) applies during the period of suspension only if the state board issues written findings that:} } {(i) {identify a specific, articulable risk to students or the school environment based on the educator's conduct;
and} } {(ii) {explain why allowing the educator to work or volunteer in a public school during the suspension period, even in a capacity not requiring a license, would be insufficient to protect student safety.} } {(b) {If the state board does not issue the written findings described in Subsection (5)(a), the educator may, during the period of suspension:} } {(i) {work in a public school in a capacity that does not require a license;
or} } {(ii) {volunteer in a public school, subject to any other applicable employment or volunteer screeningrequirements.} } (6) The state board may not issue a restriction described in Subsection (2)(a) or (4)(a) for a technical violation unless:
(7) (a) The written findings required under Subsections (3)(a), (5)(a), and (6)(b) shall:
(7)(a) The written findings required under Subsections (3)(a), (5)(a), and (6)(b) shall:
- 9 - SB0312 compared with SB0312S01 (b) The state board shall provide the educator with a copy of the written findings required under this section.
(b) The state board shall provide the educator with a copy of the written findings required under this section.
(9){(a)} {Nothing in this section } permits an individual to work in a position requiring licensure without holding the appropriate license as required by Section 53E-6-201{.} ;
(a) permits an individual to work in a position requiring licensure without holding the appropriate license as required by Section 53E-6-201;
and (c) prohibits the state board from considering an aggravating or mitigating factors that may vary in each case.
and - 8 - Enrolled Copy S.B.
312 (c) prohibits the state board from considering aggravating or mitigating factors that may vary in each case.
53E-6-607.
53E-6-607 .
and - 10 - SB0312 compared with SB0312S01 (iii) a statement of the circumstances under which the restrictions require written findings by the state board.
and (iii) a statement of the circumstances under which the restrictions require written findings by the state board.
53E-6-901.
53E-6-901 .
(1) As used in this section, "substitute teacher" means a licensed or non-licensed individual who is employed by a school district to fill in for a regular classroom teacher during the teacher's temporary absence from the classroom.
(1) As used in this section, "substitute teacher" means a licensed or non-licensed individual - 9 - S.B.
312 Enrolled Copy who is employed by a school district to fill in for a regular classroom teacher during the teacher's temporary absence from the classroom.
Effective date.
3-4-26 3:00 PM - 11 -
- 10 -
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (4)

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/ uncircled

  20. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0312S01

  21. House/ circled

  22. House/ 3rd reading

  23. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0312S01

  24. House/ 2nd reading

  25. House/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar

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

  27. House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Education Committee]

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

  29. House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Education Committee]

  30. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0312S01

  31. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0312S01

  32. House Comm - Held [House Education Committee]

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

  34. House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  35. House/ received from Senate

  36. Senate/ to House

  37. Senate/ passed 3rd reading

  38. Senate/ 3rd reading

  39. Senate/ passed 2nd reading

  40. Senate/ 2nd reading

  41. Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar

  42. Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Education Committee]

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

  44. Senate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst

  45. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0312

  46. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0312

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

  48. Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  49. Senate/ received bill from Legislative Research

  50. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0312

  51. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0312

  52. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed

  53. Bill Numbered but not Distributed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

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.

Show all 102 →

"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

education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 312?
SB 312 is sponsored by Doug Welton (Republican) and John D. Johnson (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 312?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 19, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 312?
Track SB 312 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on SB 312

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of SB 312

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →