Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program, the official text

Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program
2026 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Katy Hall
Senate Sponsor: Keven J. Stratton
Cosponsor: Logan J. Monson Jon Hawkins
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill creates the Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill: defines terms;
creates a five-year pilot program known as the Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program to: promote physical activity in an eligible school; and
promote healthy eating habits in an eligible school;

requires the State Board of Education to: administer the program;
select an eligible school for participation in the program; and
award program funds;

creates a reporting requirement;
creates a cap for administrative costs associated with the program;
creates a sunset date for the program; and
makes technical and conforming changes.

Money Appropriated in this Bill: None Other Special Clauses: This bill provides a special effective date. Utah Code Sections Affected: AMENDS:
53E-1-201 Effective 07/01/26 Partially Repealed 07/01/27, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session, Chapter 9
63I-1-253 Effective 07/01/26, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session, Chapter 9

ENACTS:
53F-5-224 Effective 07/01/26, Utah Code Annotated 1953

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 53E-1-201 is amended to read:
53E-1-201 Effective 07/01/26 Partially Repealed 07/01/27. Reports to and action required of the Education Interim Committee.
(1) In accordance with applicable provisions and Section 68-3-14, the following recurring reports are due to the Education Interim Committee: (a) the report described in Section 9-22-109 by the STEM Action Center Board, including the information described in Section 9-22-113 on the status of the computer science initiative and Section 9-22-114 on the Computing Partnerships Grants Program;
(b) the prioritized list of data research described in Section 53H-15-303 and the report on research and activities described in Section 53H-15-305 by the Utah Data Research Center;
(c) the report described in Section 53H-1-203 by the Utah Board of Higher Education on career and technical education issues and addressing workforce needs;
(d) the annual report of the Utah Board of Higher Education described in Section 53H-1-203;
(e) the reports described in Section 53H-7-603 by the Utah Board of Higher Education regarding activities related to campus safety;
(f) the State Superintendent's Annual Report by the state board described in Section 53E-1-203;
(g) the annual report described in Section 53E-2-202 by the state board on the strategic plan to improve student outcomes;
(h) the report described in Section 53E-3-501 by the state board on students in an LEA who receive academic credit through the packet method;
(i) the report described in Section 53E-8-204 by the state board on the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind;
(j) the report described in Section 53E-10-703 by the Utah Leading through Effective, Actionable, and Dynamic Education director on research and other activities;
(k) the report described in Section 53F-2-522 regarding mental health screening programs;
(l) the report described in Section 53F-4-203 by the state board and the independent evaluator on an evaluation of early interactive reading software;
(m) the report described in Section 53F-6-412 by the program manager of the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program;
(n) the report described in Section 63N-20-107 by the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity on UPSTART;
(o) the report described in Section 53F-5-215 by the state board related to a grant for an elementary teacher preparation assessment;
(p) upon request, the report described in Section 53F-5-219 by the state board on the Local Innovations Civics Education Pilot Program;
(q) the report described in Section 53F-5-405 by the state board regarding an evaluation of a partnership that receives a grant to improve educational outcomes for students who are low-income;
(r) the report described in Section 53H-1-604 regarding the Higher Education and Corrections Council;
(s) the report described in Section 53G-7-221 by the state board regarding innovation plans; and
(t) the reports described in Section 53F-6-412 regarding the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program.

(2) In accordance with applicable provisions and Section 68-3-14, the following occasional reports are due to the Education Interim Committee: (a) in 2027, 2030, 2033, and 2035, the reports described in Sections 53H-1-502, 53H-1-503, and 53H-1-504;
(b) in 2025, the report described in Section 53H-6-203 by a degree-granting institution regarding policies on abusive coaching practices;
(c) if required, the report described in Section 53E-4-309 by the state board explaining the reasons for changing the grade level specification for the administration of specific assessments;
(d) if required, the report described in Section 53E-5-210 by the state board of an adjustment to the minimum level that demonstrates proficiency for each statewide assessment;
(e) the report described in Section 53E-10-702 by Utah Leading through Effective, Actionable, and Dynamic Education;
(f) if required, the report described in Section 53F-2-513 by the state board evaluating the effects of salary bonuses on the recruitment and retention of effective teachers in high-poverty schools;
(g) upon request, the report described in Section 53F-5-224 by the state board regarding implementation, progress, and health outcomes of the Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program;
[(g)] (h) upon request, the report described in Section 53F-10-303 by the state board regarding the Rural School Sports Facilities Grant Program;
[(h)] (i) upon request, a report described in Section 53G-7-222 by an LEA regarding expenditure of a percentage of state restricted funds to support an innovative education program;
[(i)] (j) the reports described in Section 53G-11-304 by the state board regarding proposed rules and results related to educator exit surveys; and
[(j)] (k) the report described in Section 26B-5-113 by the Office of Substance Use and Mental Health, the state board, and the Department of Health and Human Services regarding recommendations related to Medicaid reimbursement for school-based health services.

(3) In accordance with applicable provisions and Section 68-3-14, every five years the Education Interim Committee shall review the programs described in the following sections of code: (a) beginning July 1, 2027, Title 53E, Chapter 10, Part 3, Concurrent Enrollment;
(b) beginning July 1, 2027, Section 53F-2-408, Enhancement for Accelerated Students Program;
(c) beginning July 1, 2027, Section 53F-2-409, Concurrent enrollment funding;
(d) beginning July 1, 2027, Section 53F-2-415, Student health and counseling support -- Qualifying personnel -- Distribution formula -- Rulemaking;
(e) beginning July 1, 2028, Section 53F-2-416, Appropriation and distribution for the Teacher and Student Success Program;
(f) beginning July 1, 2028, Section 53F-2-510, Digital Teaching and Learning Grant Program;
(g) beginning July 1, 2028, Section 53F-9-306, Teacher and Student Success Account;
(h) beginning July 1, 2028, Title 53G, Chapter 7, Part 13, Teacher and Student Success Program; and
(i) beginning July 1, 2029, Section 53F-2-502, Dual language immersion.

Section 2. Section 53F-5-224 is enacted to read:
53F-5-224 Effective 07/01/26. Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program.
(1) As used in this section: (a) "Eligible school" means a district or charter elementary school that: (i) provides instruction to students in kindergarten or grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; and
(ii) is located in a county of the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth class as described in Section 17-60-104.

(b) "Gold medal recognition award" means recognition through a certificate the state board awards to an eligible school that meets the physical education criteria the state board establishes under this section.
(c) "Program" means the Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program created in Subsection (2).

(2) There is created a five-year pilot program, known as the Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program, to provide funding to an eligible school to promote healthy physical lifestyle choices by a student in an eligible school and improve the physical education, physical activity, and nutrition of a student by: (a) encouraging a student to engage in regular physical activity;
(b) promoting healthy eating habits and food choices in an eligible school; and
(c) creating school policies that support lifelong health and wellness for students.

(3) The state board shall: (a) if the Department of Health and Human Services receives federal funding related to the program in an amount to cover the program, administer and oversee the program; and
(b) in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, make rules to: (i) establish physical education criteria for a participating, eligible school, including criteria for earning a gold medal recognition award, that: (A) achieve the purpose of the program as described in Subsection (2); and
(B) apply alternate criteria to a student with a physical limitation;

(ii) select eligible schools to participate in the program, prioritizing schools that: (A) demonstrate the greatest need for health improvement;
(B) submit an application in accordance with Subsection (4) that outlines measurable health goals and evidence-based strategies; and
(C) establish partnerships with local entities to support student health and wellness;

(iii) subject to legislative appropriations, award the program funds equally between each eligible school the state board selects under Subsection (3)(b): (A) that meets the physical education criteria the state board establishes; and
(B) in accordance with the requirements of this section;

(iv) create an application process for an eligible school to participate in the program;
(v) establish limitations on eligible school use of funds an eligible school receives through the program that emphasize physical activity and healthy eating habits;
(vi) begin program implementation for the 2027-28 school year;
(vii) grant a participating eligible school autonomy to implement the program in accordance with local needs and resources; and
(viii) establish a system to distribute program funds to the participating eligible school, including a percentage cap for an eligible school's administration of the program.

(4) (a) An eligible school may submit an application to participate in the program.
(b) In the eligible school's application, the eligible school shall: (i) describe how the eligible school will implement the program's objectives; and
(ii) outline measurable goals aligned with the program's purpose.

(c) An eligible school that the state board selects to participate in the program shall, at the conclusion of each school year, submit a report to the state board demonstrating whether the school has met the physical education criteria the state board establishes for the program.

(5) An eligible school that participates in the program may only use program funds to achieve the purposes described in Subsection (2).
(6) The state board may use up to 6.25% of the money appropriated for the purposes described in this section for administrative costs of the state board.
(7) Upon request of the Education Interim Committee or the Health and Human Services Interim Committee, the state board shall report to the Education Interim Committee or the Health and Human Services Interim Committee on: (a) the implementation of the program; and
(b) the program's progress and health outcomes.

Section 3. Section 63I-1-253 is amended to read:
63I-1-253 Effective 07/01/26. Repeal dates: Titles 53 through 53G.
(1) Section 53-1-122, Road Rage Awareness and Prevention Restricted Account, is repealed July 1, 2028.
(2) Section 53-2a-105, Emergency Management Administration Council created -- Function -- Composition -- Expenses, is repealed July 1, 2029.
(3) Section 53-2a-1103, Search and Rescue Advisory Board -- Members -- Compensation, is repealed July 1, 2030.
(4) Section 53-2a-1104, General duties of the Search and Rescue Advisory Board, is repealed July 1, 2027.
(5) Title 53, Chapter 2a, Part 15, Grid Resilience Committee, is repealed July 1, 2027.
(6) Section 53-2d-104, State Emergency Medical Services Committee -- Membership -- Expenses, is repealed July 1, 2029.
(7) Section 53-2d-503, Establishment of maximum rates, is repealed July 1, 2027.
(8) Section 53-5a-302, Concealed Firearm Review Board -- Membership -- Compensation -- Terms -- Duties, is repealed July 1, 2029.
(9) Section 53-11-104, Board, is repealed July 1, 2029.
(10) Title 53, Chapter 31, Department Interaction With Local Law Enforcement, is repealed July 1, 2027.
(11) Subsection 53C-3-203 (4)(b)(vii), regarding the distribution of money from the Land Exchange Distribution Account to the Geological Survey for test wells and other hydrologic studies in the West Desert, is repealed July 1, 2030.
(12) Subsection 53E-1-201 (1)(q), regarding the Higher Education and Corrections Council, is repealed July 1, 2027.
(13) Subsection 53E-2-304 (6), regarding foreclosing a private right of action or waiver of governmental immunity, is repealed July 1, 2027.
(14) Subsection 53E-3-503 (5), regarding coordinating councils for youth in care, is repealed July 1, 2027.
(15) Subsection 53E-3-503 (6), regarding coordinating councils for youth in care, is repealed July 1, 2027.
(16) Subsection 53E-4-202 (8)(b), regarding a standards review committee, is repealed January 1, 2028.
(17) Section 53E-4-203, Standards review committee, is repealed January 1, 2028.
(18) Title 53E, Chapter 6, Part 5, Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission, is repealed July 1, 2033.
(19) Subsection 53E-7-207 (7), regarding a private right of action or waiver of governmental immunity, is repealed July 1, 2027.
(20) Section 53F-5-215, Elementary teacher preparation assessment grant, is repealed July 1, 2028.
(21) Section 53F-5-219, Local Innovations Civics Education Pilot Program, is repealed July 1, 2026.
(22) Section 53F-5-224, Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program, is repealed July 1, 2031.
[(22)] (23) Title 53F, Chapter 10, Part 2, Capital Projects Evaluation Panel, is repealed July 1, 2027.
[(23)] (24) Subsection 53G-4-608 (2)(b), regarding the Utah Seismic Safety Commission, is repealed January 1, 2025.
[(24)] (25) Subsection 53G-4-608 (4)(b), regarding the Utah Seismic Safety Commission, is repealed January 1, 2025.
[(25)] (26) Section 53G-9-212, Drinking water quality in schools, is repealed July 1, 2027.
[(26)] (27) Subsection 53G-9-703(4), regarding the parental video presentation concerning student use of technology, is repealed January 1, 2030.
[(27)] (28) Subsection 53H-1-402(1)(j), regarding the Higher Education and Corrections Council, is repealed July 1, 2027.
[(28)] (29) Section 53H-1-604, Higher Education and Corrections Council, is repealed July 1, 2027.
[(29)] (30) Subsection 53H-4-210(3), regarding the creation of the SafeUT and School Safety Commission, is repealed January 1, 2030.
[(30)] (31) Subsection 53H-4-210(4), regarding the appointment of the members of the SafeUT and School Safety Commission, is repealed January 1, 2030.
[(31)] (32) Subsection 53H-4-210(5), regarding the attorney general designating the chair of the SafeUT and School Safety Commission, is repealed January 1, 2030.
[(32)] (33) Subsection 53H-4-210(6), regarding the quorum requirements of the SafeUT and School Safety Commission, is repealed January 1, 2030.
[(33)] (34) Subsection 53H-4-210(7), regarding a formal action of the SafeUT and School Safety Commission, is repealed January 1, 2030.
[(34)] (35) Subsection 53H-4-210(8), regarding compensation for members of the SafeUT and School Safety Commission, is repealed January 1, 2030.
[(35)] (36) Subsection 53H-4-210(9), regarding the support staff for the SafeUT and School Safety Commission, is repealed January 1, 2030.
[(36)] (37) Section 53H-4-306.1, Definitions -- Electrification of Transportation Infrastructure Research Center, is repealed July 1, 2028.
[(37)] (38) Section 53H-4-306.2, Electrification of Transportation Infrastructure Research Center -- Designation -- Duties, is repealed July 1, 2028.
[(38)] (39) Section 53H-4-306.3, Electrification of Transportation Infrastructure Research Center -- Steering committee, is repealed July 1, 2028.
[(39)] (40) Section 53H-4-306.4, Electrification of Transportation Infrastructure Research Center -- Industry advisory board, is repealed July 1, 2028.
[(40)] (41) Section 53H-4-306.5, Electrification of Transportation Infrastructure Research Center -- Duties of the project director, is repealed July 1, 2028.
[(41)] (42) Section 53H-4-306.6, Electrification of Transportation Infrastructure Research Center -- Project development and strategic objectives -- Reporting requirements, is repealed July 1, 2028.
[(42)] (43) Section 53H-4-307.1, Center for Civic Excellence, is repealed July 1, 2030.
[(43)] (44) Section 53H-4-307.2, Center for Civic Excellence -- Duties -- Authority, is repealed July 1, 2030.
[(44)] (45) Section 53H-4-307.3, Center for Civic Excellence -- Leadership, is repealed July 1, 2030.
[(45)] (46) Section 53H-4-307.4, Center for Civic Excellence -- Faculty, is repealed July 1, 2030.
[(46)] (47) Section 53H-4-307.5, Center for Civic Excellence -- Curriculum, is repealed July 1, 2030.
[(47)] (48) Section 53H-4-307.6, Center for Civic Excellence -- Oversight -- Reporting, is repealed July 1, 2030.
[(48)] (49) Section 53H-4-313, Food Security Council, is repealed July 1, 2027.
[(49)] (50) Section 53H-8-305, Five-year performance goals, is repealed July 1, 2027.
[(50)] (51) Title 53H, Chapter 10, Part 4, Education Savings Incentive Program, is repealed July 1, 2028.

Section 4. Effective Date.
This bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.

3-6-26 7:35 PM