Committee backs middle‑school digital-skills course and advisory tech council

Representative Tuscher presented HB 218 as a consensus bill developed with the State Board, teachers and the governor's office to modernize a middle-school digital-skills course and to build an advisory tech council.

"We've been working over the last few years on trying to ensure that kids can safely navigate emerging technologies, social media, and AI," Tuscher said, describing the bill's three-legged approach: accountability for companies, classroom guardrails, and student education.

The bill directs the State Board to establish standards beginning in the 2027–28 school year and to convene an advisory tech council to recommend curriculum guidance. The bill's placement in seventh/eighth grade drew support from the State Board and school administrators who said that timing is appropriate for embedding digital literacy and safety content.

Committee members asked about timeline and council composition; sponsor said the State Superintendent would have discretion to staff the council, and the bill gives the board authority to set standards in the 2027–28 school year. The Utah School Boards Association and the Utah School Superintendents Association testified in support.

The committee unanimously forwarded the first substitute with a favorable recommendation.