Utah legislation · 2026 General Session
Utah HB426: Online Education Service Provider Amendments
Status: Signed into law, March 19, 2026
This bill establishes accountability requirements for learner validated programs.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 12, 2026:
3 Online Education Service Provider Amendments 2026 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: R. Neil Walter Senate Sponsor: John D. Johnson LONG TITLE General Description: This bill establishes accountability requirements for learner validated programs. Highlighted Provisions: This bill: - defines terms; - requires a local education agency (LEA) operating a learner validated programs to maintain accountability for a participating student; - establishes standards for teacher of record oversight and student progress monitoring; - requires documented pacing, proctored assessments, and sequential completion of coursework; - establishes student-to-teacher ratio requirements for learner validated programs; - provides for proficiency-based waivers for advanced students; - assigns State Board of Education oversight and enforcement authority; and - makes technical and conforming changes. Money Appropriated in this Bill: None Other Special Clauses: None Utah Code Sections Affected: ENACTS: 53G-2-501 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 53G-2-502 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah: Section 1. Section 53G-2-501 is enacted to read: 5. Learner Validated Programs 53G-2-501 . Definitions. (1) "Educational service provider" means a third-party entity contracted by an LEA to provide: (a) courses or instructional services that: (i) generate average daily membership for the LEA; or (ii) count toward graduation requirements; or (b) curriculum, grading services, or educator services for courses described in Subsection (1)(a) . …
Sponsors
- Walter, R. Neil (R, 74) · primary sponsor
- Johnson, John D. (R, 3)
Latest actions
- : Governor Signed
- : House/ to Governor
- : House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
- : House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- : Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
- : Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- : Bill Received from House for Enrolling
- : House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
- : House/ received from Senate
- : Senate/ to House
Votes
- Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension (March 6, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation (March 2, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House/ passed 3rd reading (February 24, 2026): 65 yea, 1 nay, passed
- House Comm - Substitute Recommendation (February 18, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Comm - Favorable Recommendation (February 18, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: State Board of Education, Education, K-12 Education, Local Education Agencies (LEAs), School Personnel, Online Learning and/or Technology
Common questions
- What is HB426?
- HB426 is a bill in the Utah Legislature (2026 General Session): Online Education Service Provider Amendments.
- What does HB426 do?
- This bill establishes accountability requirements for learner validated programs.
- What is the status of HB426?
- Signed into law as of March 19, 2026. Latest action: Governor Signed (March 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB426?
- Walter, R. Neil (R, 74), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB426?
- On the Utah Legislature website: https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0426.html
Source: official Utah record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.