Enrolled Copy S.B. 279
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High School Rodeo Amendments
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Michael K. McKell
House Sponsor: Jon Hawkins
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LONG TITLE
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General Description:
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This bill includes rodeo as a valid excuse for a student to be absent from school.
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Highlighted Provisions:
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This bill:
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▸ amends the definition of "valid excuse" to include a student that competes in a rodeo
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sanctioned by certain organizations; and
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▸ makes technical changes.
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Money Appropriated in this Bill:
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None
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Other Special Clauses:
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This bill provides a special effective date.
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Utah Code Sections Affected:
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AMENDS:
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53G-6-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 464
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Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
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Section 1. Section 53G-6-201 is amended to read:
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53G-6-201 . Definitions.
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As used in this part:
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(1)(a) "Absence" or "absent" means the failure of a school-age child assigned to a class
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or class period to attend a class or class period.
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(b) "Absence" or "absent" does not mean multiple tardies used to calculate an absence
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for the sake of a truancy.
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(2) "Educational neglect" means the same as that term is defined in Section 80-1-102.
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(3)(a) "Home-based microschool" means an individual or association of individuals that: S.B. 279 Enrolled Copy
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(i) registers as a business entity in accordance with state and local laws; and
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(ii) for compensation, provides kindergarten through grade 12 education services to
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16 or fewer students from an individual's residential dwelling, accessory dwelling
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unit, or residential property.
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(b) "Home-based microschool" does not include a daycare.
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(4) "Instructor" means an individual who teaches a student as part of a home-based
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microschool or micro-education entity.
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(5)(a) "Micro-education entity" means a person or association of persons that:
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(i) registers as a business entity in accordance with state and local laws; and
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(ii) for compensation, provides kindergarten through grade 12 education services to
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100 students or fewer.
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(b) "Micro-education entity" does not include:
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(i) a daycare;
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(ii) a home-based microschool;
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(iii) a private school; or
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(iv) a school within the public education system.
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(6) "Minor" means an individual who is under 18 years old.
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(7) "Parent" includes:
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(a) a custodial parent of the minor;
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(b) a legally appointed guardian of a minor; or
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(c) any other person purporting to exercise any authority over the minor which could be
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exercised by a person described in Subsection (7)(a) or (b).
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(8) "School day" means the portion of a day that school is in session in which a school-age
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child is required to be in school for purposes of receiving instruction.
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(9) "School year" means the period of time designated by a local school board or charter
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school governing board as the school year for the school where the school-age child:
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(a) is enrolled; or
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(b) should be enrolled, if the school-age child is not enrolled in school.
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(10) "School-age child" means a minor who:
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(a) is at least six years old but younger than 18 years old; and
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(b) is not emancipated.
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(11)(a) "Truant" means a condition in which a school-age child, without a valid excuse,
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and subject to Subsection (11)(b), is absent for at least:
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(i) half of the school day; or
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(ii) if the school-age child is enrolled in a learner verified program, as that term is
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defined by the state board, the relevant amount of time under the LEA's policy
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regarding the LEA's continuing enrollment measure as it relates to truancy.
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(b) A school-age child may not be considered truant under this part more than one time
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during one day.
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(12) "Truant minor" means a school-age child who:
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(a) is subject to the requirements of Section 53G-6-202 or 53G-6-203; and
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(b) is truant.
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(13)(a) "Valid excuse" means:
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(i) an illness, which may be either mental or physical, regardless of whether the
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school-age child or parent provides documentation from a medical professional;
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(ii) mental or behavioral health of the school-age child;
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(iii) a family death;
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(iv) an approved school activity;
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(v) an absence permitted by a school-age child's:
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(A) individualized education program; or
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(B) Section 504 accommodation plan;
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(vi) competition in a rodeo sanctioned by an international, non-profit organization
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dedicated to the development of sportsmanship, horsemanship, and character in
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youth through the sport of rodeo;
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[(vi)] (vii) an absence permitted in accordance with Subsection 53G-6-803(5); or
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[(vii)] (viii) any other excuse established as valid by a local school board, charter
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school governing board, or school district.
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(b) "Valid excuse" does not mean a parent acknowledgment of an absence for a reason
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other than a reason described in Subsections (13)(a)(i) through [(vi)] (vii), unless
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specifically permitted by the local school board, charter school governing board, or
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school district under Subsection [(13)(a)(vi)] (13)(a)(viii).
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Section 2. Effective Date.
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This bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.
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