Senate requires State Board to produce parent video on sexting and sextortion; SB98 passes

The Utah Senate on Day 21 passed Senate Bill 98, a parental‑education measure addressing sexting and sextortion among students, by a roll call of 26–2 with one senator absent.

What the bill requires: The measure directs the State Board of Education to produce a short video presentation about student use of technology, intended for distribution to parents at back‑to‑school events and to local school boards. Sponsor Senator Wilson told the floor the board would coordinate with school resource officers and other stakeholders to produce a current video appropriate for parent audiences.

Sponsor remarks and floor discussion: Senator Wilson cited a statewide parent survey of about 86,000 respondents in which roughly 60% of parents said they were unaware sexting was a problem in schools, and he argued that a concise, updated video would help bridge that knowledge gap. Senator Fillmore asked whether the board could instead point to existing videos; Wilson said the bill requires the board to create a presentation but that it could incorporate or reference existing material if appropriate. Wilson also said he is running a request for applications of $100,000 to fund a digital campaign to drive parents to the resource.

Final action: Senate Bill 98 passed by roll call, 26 yay, 2 nay, 1 absent. The bill will be sent to the House for its consideration.

Next steps: The State Board of Education and local school boards will determine the content and distribution plan once the board develops the required presentation, and the RFA if approved would fund online outreach.