Utah legislation · 2026 General Session
Utah HB448: Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind Amendments
Status: Signed into law, March 26, 2026
This bill addresses the mission, governance, and operation of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 4, 2026:
0 Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind Amendments 2026 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: Stephen L. Whyte Senate Sponsor: John D. Johnson LONG TITLE General Description: This bill addresses the mission, governance, and operation of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. Highlighted Provisions: This bill: - defines terms; - amends the mission and role of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (USDB); - addresses the educational and financial relationship between USDB and a student's local education agency (LEA) of record; - modifies the appointment of the USDB superintendent; - amends provisions regarding the role of the State Board of Education (state board) in relation to USDB; - enacts requirements regarding USDB capital facilities; - enacts provisions regarding the role of USDB's advisory council; - requires USDB to count students receiving services from USDB; - requires the state board to ensure and report on certain data; - requires state involvement in an eligibility determination for USDB to replace a student's LEA of record as the student's designated LEA; - requires certain consideration of shared or colocated facilities with certain school districts; and - makes technical and conforming changes. Money Appropriated in this Bill: None Other Special Clauses: This bill provides a special effective date. Utah Code Sections Affected: AMENDS: 53E-1-203 , as …
Sponsors
- Whyte, Stephen L. (R, 63) · 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 3rd reading (February 27, 2026): 23 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate/ passed 2nd reading (February 26, 2026): 24 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation (February 24, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House/ passed 3rd reading (February 18, 2026): 67 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Comm - Substitute Recommendation (February 9, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Comm - Favorable Recommendation (February 9, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: School Finance, State Board of Education, Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, Education, K-12 Education, Public Education Data and Reporting, School Facilities
Common questions
- What is HB448?
- HB448 is a bill in the Utah Legislature (2026 General Session): Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind Amendments.
- What does HB448 do?
- This bill addresses the mission, governance, and operation of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
- What is the status of HB448?
- Signed into law as of March 26, 2026. Latest action: Governor Signed (March 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB448?
- Whyte, Stephen L. (R, 63), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB448?
- On the Utah Legislature website: https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0448.html
Source: official Utah record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.