Utah legislation · 2026 General Session
Utah HB502: School Attendance Modifications
Status: Signed into law, March 19, 2026
This bill creates citizenship grade standards, attendance-based grading, and a test-out option for core classes.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 7, 2026:
6 School Attendance Modifications 2026 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: Doug Welton Senate Sponsor: Michael K. McKell LONG TITLE General Description: This bill creates citizenship grade standards, attendance-based grading, and a test-out option for core classes. Highlighted Provisions: This bill: - permits and establishes requirements for standardizing citizenship grades; - allows parents to opt out of citizenship grading; - allows attendance-based grading; - repeals individualized attendance plans for attendance-based grading; - creates a test-out option for core classes; - establishes a citizenship grade scholarship program in higher education funded through voluntary tax return contributions; and - makes technical changes. Money Appropriated in this Bill: None Other Special Clauses: This bill provides retrospective operation. Utah Code Sections Affected: AMENDS: 53G-6-206 Effective 05/06/26 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 516 53G-6-806 Effective 05/06/26 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 21 59-10-1304 Effective 05/06/26 Applies beginning 01/01/26 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapters 95, 322 ENACTS: 53E-4-208 Effective 05/06/26 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 53E-4-209 Effective 05/06/26 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 53G-6-213 Effective 05/06/26 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 53H-11-416 Effective 05/06/26 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 59-10-1324 Effective 05/06/26 Applies beginning 01/01/26 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of …
Sponsors
- Douglas Welton (R, 65) · primary sponsor
- Michael McKell (R, 25)
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
- : Senate/ to House
- : Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House
Votes
- House/ concurs with Senate amendment (March 5, 2026): 46 yea, 22 nay, passed
- Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension (March 4, 2026): 20 yea, 9 nay, passed
- Senate/ failed (March 4, 2026): 12 yea, 16 nay, failed
- Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation (March 4, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation (March 4, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House/ passed 3rd reading (February 26, 2026): 51 yea, 21 nay, passed
Subjects: State Board of Education, Health and Human Services, Scholarships and Financial Aid, Education, Standards and Curriculum, K-12 Education, Student Health and Safety, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
Common questions
- What is HB502?
- HB502 is a bill in the Utah Legislature (2026 General Session): School Attendance Modifications.
- What does HB502 do?
- This bill creates citizenship grade standards, attendance-based grading, and a test-out option for core classes.
- What is the status of HB502?
- Signed into law as of March 19, 2026. Latest action: Governor Signed (March 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB502?
- Douglas Welton (R, 65), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB502?
- On the Utah Legislature website: https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0502.html
Source: official Utah record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.