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House passes bill to allow immediate permanent revocation of teacher licenses for certain sexual offenses
Summary
The House passed HB 286 to require immediate and potentially permanent revocation of a teacher’s license upon receipt of specific findings related to sexual offenses against minors. Sponsor Carl Wimmer cited a high‑profile Riverton case as the motivating example; the bill passed 68–0 and moves to the Senate.
The Utah House on the floor Feb. 5 approved House Bill 286, a measure that requires the state education board to immediately revoke a teaching license upon receiving findings from the board’s adjudicative body (UPAC) that a licensee committed specified sexual offenses against a minor.
Rep. Carl Wimmer, the bill sponsor, said the measure tightens existing language so that teachers who have engaged in sexual misconduct with students cannot regain licensure. He framed the bill around a widely reported case involving a Riverton teacher convicted on multiple counts, saying the new language makes permanent revocation the default for certain statutorily defined offenses. "This is a very simple bill," Wimmer said, describing the change as one that ensures "we do not have any chance of a teacher who has a sexual relation with a minor student" being licensed again.
Representative Holloway asked whether similar bills should be combined to avoid duplication; Wimmer said he had discussed coordination and understood the measures would not conflict. The question of consolidation did not prevent floor action.
The House opened and closed the vote on HB 286; the clerk announced the bill had received 68 yes votes, 0 no votes, and the measure passed and was referred to the Senate for further consideration.
Because the measure relies on board findings (UPAC) and references statutory definitions of offenses, implementation will proceed through the state education board’s processes once the bill advances. The House did not record any amendments on the floor; the sponsor waived summation and the vote proceeded promptly.
