First Substitute H.B. 343

Representative Jacob L. Anderegg proposes the following substitute bill:

1 TEXTBOOK PURCHASING AMENDMENTS
2 2013 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Jacob L. Anderegg
5 Senate Sponsor: ____________
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill places restrictions on the use of paper textbooks in certain situations.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 . beginning July 1, 2013, requires schools to designate certain classrooms in which no
13 paper textbooks will be used unless exempted by a local school board or charter
14 school governing board.
15 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
16 None
17 Other Special Clauses:
18 None
19 Utah Code Sections Affected:
20 AMENDS:
21 53A-12-204, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 299
22
23 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
24 Section 1. Section 53A-12-204 is amended to read:
25 53A-12-204. Paper textbooks prohibited in certain classrooms -- Purchase of

26 textbooks by school districts or charter schools -- Sales to pupils -- Free textbooks --
27 Textbooks provided to teachers -- Payment of costs -- Rental of textbooks.
28 (1) Except as provided in Subsection (3), beginning July 1, 2013, each year, a public
29 school shall designate at least one classroom in which no paper textbooks will be used.
30 (2) In designating a classroom as required in Subsection (1), a public school shall
31 designate:
32 (a) for an elementary school, one classroom per grade; and
33 (b) for a secondary school, one classroom per subject.
34 (3) A local school board or charter school governing board may exempt a school from
35 the requirements of Subsection (1).
36 [(1)] (4) A [local school board] school district or charter school, under rules adopted by
37 the State Board of Education, may purchase textbooks for use in the public schools directly
38 from the publisher at prices and terms approved by the state board and may sell those [books]
39 textbooks to pupils in grades [nine] 9 through 12 at a cost not to exceed the actual cost of the
40 [book] textbook plus costs of transportation and handling.
41 [(2)] (5) [Each local school board, however,] A school district or charter school shall
42 provide, free of charge, textbooks and workbooks required for courses of instruction for each
43 child attending public schools whose parent or guardian is financially unable to purchase them.
44 [(3)] (6) Children who are receiving cash assistance under Title 35A, Chapter 3, Part 3,
45 Family Employment Program, supplemental security income, or who are in the custody of the
46 Division of Child and Family Services within the Department of Human Services are eligible
47 for free textbooks and workbooks under this section.
48 [(4)] (7) [The local school board] A school district or charter school shall [also]
49 purchase all books necessary for teachers to conduct their classes.
50 [(5)] (8) The cost of furnishing textbooks and workbooks may be paid from school
51 operating funds, the textbook fund, or from other available funds.
52 [(6) Books] (9) Textbooks provided to teachers and pupils without charge or at less
53 than full cost [are] shall be paid for out of funds of the school district or charter school and
54 remain the property of the school district or charter school.
55 [(7)] (10) In school districts or charter schools that require pupils to rent [books]
56 textbooks instead of purchasing them or providing them free of charge, the [local school board]

57 school district or charter school shall waive rental fees for a child whose parent or guardian is
58 financially unable to pay the rental fee. The children considered eligible under Subsection [(3)]
59 (6) are also eligible for the purposes of this Subsection [(7)] (10).

[Bill Documents]