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House approves refugee continuing-education program for teen refugees, 57-14
Summary
The Utah House passed HB 160 on Feb. 6, 2020, creating a daytime continuing-education program aimed at refugee teens (ages 18–23) who lack credits to graduate. Sponsor Rep. Carol Moss said initial funding is about $500,000 to serve roughly 58–65 students; the bill passed 57-14 and will go to the Senate.
The Utah House of Representatives on Feb. 6 approved House Bill 160, a program to provide daytime continuing education for refugee teens who entered the U.S. later and lack the credits to earn a high school diploma. Representative Carol Moss, the bill sponsor, said the program pairs the Refugee Services Office in the Department of Workforce Services with school-district partners and would be aimed at students ages 18 to 23.
"It would provide a program so students between the ages of 18 up to 23 could go to school during the day and would be held in a different setting," Representative Moss said during floor remarks. She told colleagues the program would combine targeted credit recovery, English-language instruction and career pathway work.
Moss said the initial fiscal note is approximately $500,000, which she said would cover about "4 to 5 teachers considering salary [and] benefits" and serve an estimated 58 to 65 students at start-up. She said the Refugee Education and Training Center on the Meadowbrook campus (the Refugee Services Office) is a likely host site and that any district could apply to partner with the program if it is successful.
Members asked for clarifications during floor questioning. Representative Sigmaler asked how widespread the program might be; Moss said the startup figure serves one site but the legislation requires annual reporting and could be expanded. Representative Robertson asked for the covered age range; Moss confirmed the program targets people 18–23. Representative Robertson also clarified that funding would come from the Education Fund (the constitutionally restricted account), and Moss said the fiscal analyst reviewed the proposal and found it appropriate.
Supporters framed the effort as preventative and cost-effective. Representative Winder described the measure as "spending some pennies now to save dollars later," arguing that helping students finish high school reduces future social-service and criminal-justice costs. Representative Owens and others said the program addresses a concentrated need in larger districts such as Granite School District, which Moss cited as an initial partner.
House voting opened after debate. House Bill 160 passed the House by a recorded vote of 57 yes and 14 no. The bill will be transmitted to the Utah Senate for consideration.
Because the bill allocates money from the Education Fund and creates an initial single-site program with required reporting, future expansion and precise program costs will depend on the fiscal-appropriations process in subsequent committees.
