HB 142

Enrolled Copy  H.B. 142
1School Fee Waiver Amendments
  2026 GENERAL SESSION
  STATE OF UTAH
  Chief Sponsor: Doug Welton
  Senate Sponsor: Heidi Balderree
2
3  LONG TITLE
4  General Description:
5      This bill amends provisions related to school fee waivers.
6  Highlighted Provisions:
7      This bill:
8      ▸ defines terms;
9      ▸ limits the number of fee waivers a student may receive;
10      ▸ requires local education agencies to establish a cap on fee waivers;
11      ▸ allows a student to request a fee waiver for a second trip; and
12      ▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
13  Money Appropriated in this Bill:
14      None
15  Other Special Clauses:
16      This bill provides a special effective date.
17  Utah Code Sections Affected:
18  AMENDS:
19      53G-7-504, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 497
20
21  Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
22Section 1. Section 53G-7-504 is amended to read:
2353G-7-504 . Waiver of fees -- Appeal of decision.
24  (1) As used in this section:
25      (a) "Action plan" means a written agreement between a principal and a student that
26outlines specific, reasonable steps the student will take to contribute to the school or
27community in exchange for a fee waiver for a second school trip.
 H.B. 142  Enrolled Copy
28(b)(i) "Trip" means a school sponsored travel activity of two or more nights that
29requires a student to pay a fee for participation in the activity.
30(ii) "Trip" does not include a travel activity of two or more nights related to an in
31state activity sponsored by an association as that term is defined in Section
3253G-7-801.
33   [(1)] (2)(a) Subject to the provisions of this part, if an LEA or a school within an LEA
34charges one or more fees, the LEA shall grant a waiver to a student if charging the
35fee would deny the student the opportunity to fully participate or complete a
36requirement because of an inability to pay the fee.
37(b) An LEA governing board shall:
38(i) adopt policies for granting a waiver;
39(ii) limit a waiver for a trip to no more than two trips per student per year;
40(iii) adopt policies for a dollar amount cap on total fee waivers; and
41[(ii)] (iv) in accordance with Section 53G-7-505, give notice of waiver eligibility and
42policies.
43   (3) A student who qualifies for a fee waiver may request a waiver for the fee of a second
44trip if the student:
45(a) meets with the principal or an individual the principal assigns; and
46(b) develops an action plan with the principal that includes school-related contributions,
47including:
48(i) performing custodial work;
49(ii) participating in school-related service programs; or
50(iii) completing other contributions that the principal, or an individual the principal
51assigns, approves.
52   (4) The action plan described in Subsection (3)(b) shall:
53(a) match a student's abilities and availability;
54(b) consider a student's individual circumstances;
55(c) specify the type and duration of the contribution to the school or community; and
56(d) avoid interference with a student's academic or personal responsibilities.
57   (5) Nothing in this section prohibits a:
58(a) school from offering additional trips each school year to a student who receives a
59second fee waiver under Subsection (3); or
60(b) student from participating in additional trips each school year after receiving a
61second fee waiver under Subsection (3).
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 Enrolled Copy  H.B. 142
62  [(2)] (6)(a) An LEA that charges a fee under this part may provide a variety of
63      alternatives for a student or family to satisfy a fee requirement, including allowing a
64      student to provide:
65(i) tutorial assistance to other students;
66(ii) assistance before or after school to teachers and other school personnel on school
67related matters; and
68(iii) general community or home service.
69      (b) Each LEA governing board may add to the list of alternatives provided by the state
70board, subject to approval by the state board.
71  [(3)] (7) With regard to a student who is in the custody of the Division of Child and Family
72      Services who is also eligible under Title IV-E of the federal Social Security Act, an LEA
73      governing board shall require fee waivers or alternatives in accordance with this section.
74  [(4)] (8) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
75      state board shall make rules:
76      (a) requiring a parent of a student applying for a fee waiver to provide documentation
77and certification to the school verifying:
78(i) the student's eligibility to receive the waiver; and
79(ii) if applicable, that the student has complied with alternatives for satisfying the fee
80requirements under Subsection [(2)] (6) to the fullest extent reasonably possible
81according to the individual circumstances of the student and the LEA; and
82      (b) specifying the acceptable forms of documentation for the requirement under
83Subsection [(4)(a)] (8)(a), which shall include verification based on income tax
84returns or current pay stubs.
85  [(5)] (9) Notwithstanding the requirements under Subsection [(4)] (8), an LEA is not
86      required to keep documentation on file after the verification is completed.
87  [(6)] (10) If a school denies a student or parent request for a fee waiver, the school shall
88      provide the student or parent:
89      (a) the school's written decision to deny a waiver; and
90      (b) the procedure to appeal in accordance with LEA policy.
91Section 2. Effective Date.
92  This bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.
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