Committee approves school security personnel standard changes, adopts two amendments

Representative Wilcox presented the substitute to update school security personnel standards, saying the measure gives local education agencies additional flexibility in several areas: moving stipend distribution to the Utah State Board of Education, allowing special function officers as a trained option, expanding access to emergency alert devices and adding training and visitor‑management flexibility.

Sponsor Wilcox told the committee that the apparent fiscal cost for panic alert devices ($266,000) had already been covered by prior appropriations through the school security task force, which is why the bill carries a zero fiscal note. Senator Stevenson and other members asked for that clarification; Wilcox said the funding had been appropriated the prior fall.

The committee considered and adopted Amendment 2 (clarifying language) and Amendment 3 (making visitor‑management standards voluntary), each passing unanimously in voice votes, and then voted 4–0 to favorably recommend the substitute to the full Senate. Senator Johnson, maker of the motion to pass the bill, thanked Representative Wilcox for his work.

The bill advances to the Senate with committee amendments; sponsor and members emphasized implementation details will be handled locally by LEAs and the State Board of Education where applicable.