Bill helps Utah schools facing influx of English-learning students moves to Senate
Feb 13, 2025, 2:46 PM | Updated: 10:33 pm
A student raises their hand at Crescent Elementary School in Sandy on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Brice Tucker/Deseret News)
(Brice Tucker/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — A bill that would help Utah schools address a surge in English-learning students is just one vote away from heading to the governor’s desk.
HB42, sponsored by Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Herriman, was unanimously passed by a Utah Senate committee Thursday morning. Now it only needs approval from Utah Senate to reach the governor.
FILE: Rep. Candice B. Pierucci (R), Chair, House Education Committee, speaks during a hearing at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
“Ultimately, this bill is about getting resources to our teachers that are much needed and for our students in the classroom,” said Pierucci.
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Increase of English-learning students
The proposed bill allows schools who meet a certain threshold of new English-learning students to apply for emergency funding.
Under the current bill, schools that experience a 75% increase in English-learning students (or, at least 30 students) compared to their three-year average qualify for emergency funding.
According to state data, Utah’s public schools, including public charter schools, gained nearly 20,000 new students who need help learning English from 2021 to 2024. That’s a 29% increase.
The bill received bipartisan support from a Senate committee Thursday, including from Sen. Kathleen Reibe, D-Salt Lake City.
“It’s not just about translating for a student, it’s about providing them with an education that teaches them how to navigate an English-speaking world,” Reibe said.
If the governor signs it, the law would take effect July 1, 2025.
