House approves a string of bills, amends school notification language tied to FERPA

Lawmakers in the Utah House of Representatives moved through a series of measures late in the session, adopting amendments to a school-notification bill and voting on bills the House returned to or received from the Senate.

Notification by schools: Representative Lockhart brought Senate Bill 1,001 (notification by school or family services) back for consideration and successfully moved amendment number 4. Lockhart said the amendment narrows the notification requirement so that subsection language "does not apply to that portion of school records which would disclose any information protected under a court order," and requires the custodial parent to provide the school a certified copy of a protective court order through a procedure adopted by the local board. Lockhart cited federal privacy law by its acronym, FERPA; the statute referred to in debate is the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which limits disclosure of certain student education records.

"What the amendment does is it requires that custodial parent to provide the school with a certified copy of that court order so they have actual knowledge and evidence that there really is a court order that bars them from sharing that information," Lockhart said.

The House then voted to pass SB 1,001 with a recorded tally of 72 yes and 0 no.

Other measures: The House approved Senate Bill 1,005 (changes to the nonprofit corporation code) 72–0; the sponsor said the bill reinstates quorum language so small organizations can conduct business. The House concurred with Senate amendments to House Bill 1,003 (applied-technology education governance) after debate over language authorizing technical training "as required by business and industry," and passed the bill as amended (recorded 47 yes, 25 no). Representative Jones described Senate Bill 1,006 (Uniform Probate Code — power of attorney amendments) as strengthening accountability for agents holding powers of attorney; SB 1,006 passed 72–0. The House also concurred with Senate amendments to HCR 101 (waste disposal); Representative Ure and two Senate colleagues committed to bring public debate next session about whether landfill regulation should return to counties and about whether to open two types of class-5 landfills; HCR 101 passed 57–12.

Procedural notes and ceremony: The Clerk reported the Senate had passed HB 1,009 (passenger limitations for young drivers) and returned it for enrollment. Representative Becker offered personal-privilege remarks thanking Representative Gary Cox on his announced resignation; Cox spoke briefly and thanked colleagues. The House adopted motions to appoint committees to wait on the Senate and the Governor, divided a motion authorizing two days' pay for staff (that half passed) and then adjourned "to sign and die."

Votes at a glance: SB 1,001 (notification by school/family services) — 72–0; SB 1,005 (nonprofit corporation) — 72–0; HB 1,003 (applied-technology education, as amended) — 47–25 (concur and passage); SB 1,006 (probate/power of attorney) — 72–0; HCR 101 (waste disposal, concurrence) — 57–12.