Utah 2025 Regular Session

Utah House Bill HJR011 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	02-12 12:34 H.J.R. 11
2	2	1
3	3	Joint Resolution on the Foundation for a Strong Utah Future
4	4	2025 GENERAL SESSION
5	5	STATE OF UTAH
6	6	Chief Sponsor: Nicholeen P. Peck
7	7	Senate Sponsor:
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11	11	LONG TITLE
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13	13	General Description:
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15	15	This resolution promotes strengthening households of married parents with children.
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17	17	Highlighted Provisions:
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19	19	This resolution:
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21	21	▸ highlights the correlation between percentage of households of married parents with
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23	23	children and child poverty;
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25	25	▸ promotes career and technical programs to increase upward social mobility and financial
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27	27	stability;
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29	29	▸ promotes the Success Sequence to teach students how to create strong family units; and
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31	31	▸ encourages policies creating family stability and a strong foundation for Utah children.
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33	33	Money Appropriated in this Bill:
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35	35	None
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37	37	Other Special Clauses:
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39	39	None
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43	43	Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
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45	45	WHEREAS, the bonds between parents and children are fundamental to human
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47	47	development;
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49	49	WHEREAS, humans have a psychological and social need for feelings of belonging, love,
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51	51	and strong familial relationships;
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53	53	WHEREAS, for most individuals, family provides essential support during challenging
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55	55	times;
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57	57	WHEREAS, the United Nations determined that "family is the basic group unit of society,"
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59	59	underscoring the family's pivotal role in societal well-being;
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61	61	WHEREAS, according to the National Census, in 1980, 77% of children lived with married
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63	63	parents;
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65	65	WHEREAS, in 2020, nationally, 63% of children lived with married parents;
66	66	H.J.R. 11 H.J.R. 11 02-12 12:34
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68	68	WHEREAS, there is a correlation between the decline in percentage of children living with
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70	70	married parents and the increase in income inequality, the increase in poverty rates, and the
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72	72	decrease in economic mobility;
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74	74	WHEREAS, Archbridge Institute ranks Utah as the best in the nation for social mobility;
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76	76	WHEREAS, investing in career and technical programs provide Utahns greater access to
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78	78	higher-paying jobs, leading to upward mobility and increased family stability;
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80	80	WHEREAS, according to a 2024 United States Department of Health and Human Services
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82	82	report, 80% of Utah households are headed by two parents, compared to 63% nationally;
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84	84	WHEREAS, according to economist Melissa Kearny, the higher percentage of two-parent
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86	86	households is correlated with low poverty rates, high social mobility, and lower income
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88	88	inequality;
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90	90	WHEREAS, findings from the Marriage and Religion Research Institute indicate that
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92	92	children raised by married parents experience better long-term outcomes, such as higher
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94	94	educational attainment, improved emotional well-being, and greater economic stability
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96	96	compared to those raised in single-parent households;
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98	98	WHEREAS, Utah is committed to creating strong families with children raised by married
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100	100	parents;
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102	102	WHEREAS, Utah promotes the Success Sequence where children are encouraged to
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104	104	complete at least a high school education, obtain full-time work, and marry before having
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106	106	children;
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108	108	WHEREAS, the Success Sequence teaches students the importance of education, financial
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110	110	responsibility, and intact, healthy marriages;
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112	112	WHEREAS, Utah's early-childhood tax credit provides financial relief to families during
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114	114	the early, formative years of a child's life;
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116	116	WHEREAS, Utah is not immune to the national trend of decreasing birthrates and decline
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118	118	of households of married parents with children;
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120	120	WHEREAS, these trends are a cause for concern for the future of Utah children;
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122	122	WHEREAS, many single-parent families find themselves in a less-than-ideal situation
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124	124	when raising children;
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126	126	WHEREAS, single-parent families work diligently and often raise remarkable children
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128	128	despite the hardships they face; and
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130	130	WHEREAS, single-parent families should never be stigmatized:
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132	132	NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
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134	134	promotes the adoption of policies that promote and strengthen married, two-parent families.
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137	137	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah commits to provide
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139	139	children with the greatest opportunities for success in life.
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141	141	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah encourages and
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143	143	promotes two-parent families, strong marriages, and healthy communication.
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145	145	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah promotes career
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147	147	and technical programs, the Success Sequence, and continuing and expanding the
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149	149	early-childhood tax credits to create financial security, upward mobility, and family stability
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151	151	that creates a strong foundation for Utah children.
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