Committee unanimously backs bill to expand Admit Utah and streamline data sharing for concurrent enrollment

Senate Bill 152 (amended) expands a direct admissions initiative and reduces administrative friction in concurrent‑enrollment and admissions pipelines. The substitute broadens a phase‑3 Admit Utah direct‑admissions process statewide and eliminates the need for many bilateral data‑sharing agreements between higher education and each LEA by adopting a common approach with privacy safeguards and an opt‑out for families.

Sponsor and staff explained the measure will reduce paperwork and improve equitable access to grants and financial‑aid information. The substitute includes an opt‑out provision, training requirements for higher‑education staff handling student data, and explicit FERPA and state‑privacy compliance language. The committee adopted Amendment 1 (in committee sponsor’s name) and voted unanimously to recommend the bill to the Senate.

What’s next: Bill goes to the full Senate; implementation will require coordination between the State Board of Higher Education, participating institutions and LEAs to operationalize the expanded direct‑admissions pathway.