ELECTIONS, POLITICS, & GOVERNMENT

Lawmakers make revision to potty training bill

Jan 31, 2024, 6:39 PM | Updated: 7:09 pm

Potty training bill...

Ruth Summers laughs while performing an exercise with a classmate during a full-day kindergarten class at East Sandy Elementary School in Sandy on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. A House committee has passed a bill requiring potty training for kindergartners before they start school. However, it made a change first. (Ryan Sun/Deseret News)

(Ryan Sun/Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah House committee has passed a bill requiring kindergartners to be fully potty-trained before they start school. However, it made a change first.

Lawmakers were worried about a part of H.B. 331 that would kick kids out of school if they weren’t potty-trained and if they had accidents.

The solution? Give schools more flexibility to call parents in to deal with a student’s accident themselves.

Bill sponsor Rep. Douglas Welton, R-Payson, said he wrote the bill after hearing from a consultant. The consultant, according to Payson, said three teachers were ready to quit because of issues related to potty training.

“They’re like, ‘This is too much of a risk. I’m not going to risk potty-training a kid … They need to come potty-trained and ready to go,'” Welton said.

The bill does have exceptions for students with disabilities.

It will now go to the full House for consideration.

Related stories

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Elections, Politics, & Government

4-day school week...

Don Brinkerhoff

Could a 4-day school week be in the works for rural Utah?

A proposed bill would allow some schools to transition to a 4-day school week. The bill's sponsor said the bill would help rural areas.

14 hours ago

Jean-Michel Gisnel cries out while praying with other congregants at the First Haitian Evangelical ...

David Crary, Associated Press

Trump won’t block immigration arrests in houses of worship. Now these 27 religious groups are suing

More than two-dozen Christian and Jewish groups representing millions of Americans filed a lawsuit challenging a Trump administration move allowing immigration agents to make arrests at houses of worship.

18 hours ago

FILE- A large soft drink with a plastic straw from a McDonald's restaurant is shown in Surfside, Fl...

Associated Press

Trump pushes for plastic straws, declares paper ones ‘don’t work’

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is moving to reverse a federal push away from plastic straws, declaring that paper straws “don’t work.” Trump signed an executive order Monday, saying: “It’s a ridiculous situation. We’re going back to plastic straws” The move by Trump — who has long railed against paper straws, and whose 2019 […]

1 day ago

The U.S. Capitol is seen, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)...

Allessandra Harris Gurr

Privilege tax may be added to the Point of the Mountain

A proposed bill may bring a privilege tax to the Point of the Mountain development.

2 days ago

utah capitol building. ‘You are inviting rapists to Utah’: Survivor urges lawmakers to consider...

DANIELLA RIVERA

‘You are inviting rapists to Utah’: Survivor urges lawmakers to consider consent bill

Just a small fraction of reported sexual assaults in Utah lead to rape charges filed in court, but year after year, a proposed solution has been met with resistance by lawmakers or ignored entirely on Capitol Hill.

3 days ago

FILE - Utah Capitol building. Utah lawmakers begin 2025 session. Utah Legislature is again in sessi...

Greg Skordas

The ‘great men and women’ of Utah Legislature need to take a step back, says legal analyst

The Utah Legislature is again in session and once again, attempting to increase their already overwhelming power. The 2025 Legislative session is another example of their power grab.

3 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

Lawmakers make revision to potty training bill