Utah SB 159: Dyslexia Screening Amendments

Bill Text

01-19 13:54 S.B. 159
1 Dyslexia Screening Amendments
2026 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Kathleen A. Riebe
House Sponsor:
2

3 LONG TITLE
4 General Description:
5 This bill requires dyslexia screening for certain students in public schools.
6 Highlighted Provisions:
7 This bill:
8 ▸ defines terms;
9 ▸ requires certain school districts to screen certain students for dyslexia;
10 ▸ requires a regional education service agency to screen certain students for dyslexia;
11 ▸ allows a parent to request dyslexia screening for the parent's student in certain situations;
12 ▸ allows a charter school to screen certain students for dyslexia; and
13 ▸ requires the state board to:
14 ● distribute funds the Legislature appropriates;
15 ● provide dyslexia screening for certain students; and
16 ● make relevant administrative rules.
17 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18 None
19 Other Special Clauses:
20 This bill provides a special effective date.
21 Utah Code Sections Affected:
22 ENACTS:
23 53G-9-216, Utah Code Annotated 1953
24

25 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26 Section 1. Section 53G-9-216 is enacted to read:
27 53G-9-216 . Dyslexia screening.
28 (1) As used in this section:
29 (a) "Dyslexia" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53E-4-307.
30 (b) "Large school district" means a school district:
S.B. 159

S.B. 159 01-19 13:54
31 (i) with more than 3,000 students; or
32 (ii) located in a county of the first, second, or third class, as described in Section
33 17-60-104.
34 (c) "Public school" means a:
35 (i) district school; or
36 (ii) charter school.
37 (d) "Regional education service agency" means the same as that term is defined in
38 Section 53G-4-410.
39 (e) "Small school district" means a school district:
40 (i) with 3,000 students or fewer; or
41 (ii) located in a county of the fourth, fifth, or sixth class, as described in Section
42 17-60-104.
43 (2) A large school district shall:
44 (a) administer a dyslexia screener to a student enrolled in a public school in:
45 (i) kindergarten;
46 (ii) grade 1; and
47 (iii) grade 2;
48 (b) administer the dyslexia screener described in Subsection (2)(a) at least once during
49 each school year for the applicable grade level; and
50 (c) use the funds the state board allocates under Subsection (8) to:
51 (i) hire one full-time equivalent employee whose primary responsibility is to
52 administer a dyslexia screener and coordinate screening activities within the large
53 school district, in accordance with the requirements of this section; and
54 (ii) cover other costs associated with the requirements of this section.
55 (3)(a) A regional education service agency shall:
56 (i) administer a dyslexia screener to:
57 (A) each student enrolled in a small school district; and
58 (B) upon request, a student enrolled at a charter school in accordance with
59 Subsection (4); and
60 (ii) use the funds the state board allocates under Subsection (8) to:
61 (A) hire one full-time equivalent employee whose primary responsibility is to
62 administer a dyslexia screener and coordinate screening activities within the
63 regional education service agency, in accordance with the requirements of this
64 section; and
- 2 -

01-19 13:54 S.B. 159
65 (B) cover other costs associated with the requirements of this section.
66 (b) A small school district shall use the small school district's regional education service
67 agency to administer the dyslexia screener required under Subsection (3)(a).
68 (4) A charter school may, voluntarily or upon the request of a parent of a student enrolled in
69 the charter school, through the charter school's regional education service agency,
70 administer a dyslexia screener to a student in:
71 (a) kindergarten;
72 (b) grade 1; or
73 (c) grade 2.
74 (5)(a) A parent of a student enrolled at a public school, in grades kindergarten through
75 grade 2, may request a dyslexia screening for the parent's student regardless of
76 whether a public school has administered a screener to the student in accordance with
77 this section.
78 (b) A parent of a student enrolled in the following programs may request that the state
79 board screen the parent's student for dyslexia:
80 (i) a home school program;
81 (ii) the Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program, established in Section
82 53E-7-402;
83 (iii) the Statewide Online Education Program, created in Section 53F-4-502; or
84 (iv) the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program, established in Section 53F-6-402.
85 (6) A school district or regional education service agency may select and administer any
86 dyslexia screener that:
87 (a) aligns with state board rule; and
88 (b) complies with the requirements of this section.
89 (7) For a student whom a district or charter school screens for dyslexia under this section
90 and who demonstrates characteristics of dyslexia, the district or charter school shall
91 comply with the requirements of Subsection 53E-4-307(4)(a).
92 (8) The state b