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AI in Schools / State report

Utah limits AI assignments and independent grading

The law requires a state AI model before December 1, 2026. Local agencies must base their policies on that model.

By Formative Spaces Research

Published
Research as of · Sources & Notes

Enacted law · future deadline

State law and guidance

Utah HB273 was signed in March and became effective July 1, 2026. It calls for a state AI model before December 1, 2026, and for local education agencies to base an AI policy on that model. The prescribed model prohibits a student using generative AI to complete academic work unless an educator authorizes it for a specific assignment, and bars educators from using AI independently for grading or high-stakes determinations. Its written-parental-consent rule concerns specified AI sandbox courses, not every ordinary classroom use. Students and teachers should make assignment authorization explicit; families should ask whether a course is a sandbox; leaders must not mistake the separate July 2027 balanced-technology-policy deadline for an AI-policy deadline. [20]

Which Utah date concerns the AI model?

Utah’s AI model and technology policy have separate deadlines

The AI model is due before December 1, 2026. The separate July 2027 date concerns balanced technology policy.

Utah’s AI model and technology policy have separate deadlines. The AI model is due before December 1, 2026. The separate July 2027 date concerns balanced technology policy. HB273 signed. Date: March 2026. Action: The governor signs HB273. Scope: Month precision only. Evidence state: signed. Law takes effect. Date: July 1, 2026. Action: HB273 becomes effective. Scope: Effective date stated in the approved report. Evidence state: operative. AI model. Date: Before December 1, 2026. Action: Prepare the state AI model. Scope: Local AI policy is based on the prescribed model. Evidence state: enacted future deadline. Separate technology policy. Date: July 2027. Action: Separate balanced-technology-policy deadline. Scope: Do not substitute this date for an AI-policy deadline. Evidence state: separate policy clock.

  1. HB273 signed

    Signed law

    Date
    March 2026
    Action
    The governor signs HB273.
    Scope
    Month precision only.
    Source notes

    Source notes [20]

  2. Law takes effect

    Current law or policy

    Date
    July 1, 2026
    Action
    HB273 becomes effective.
    Scope
    Effective date stated in the approved report.
    Source notes

    Source notes [20]

  3. AI model

    Enacted law · future deadline

    Date
    Before December 1, 2026
    Action
    Prepare the state AI model.
    Scope
    Local AI policy is based on the prescribed model.
    Source notes

    Source notes [20]

  4. Separate technology policy

    Separate policy timeline

    Date
    July 2027
    Action
    Separate balanced-technology-policy deadline.
    Scope
    Do not substitute this date for an AI-policy deadline.
    Source notes

    Source notes [20]

Formative Spaces

AI in Schools research · As of
Sources [20]

View data and source notes
Utah’s AI model and technology policy have separate deadlines: underlying values
ItemDateActionScopeStatusSources
HB273 signedMarch 2026The governor signs HB273.Month precision only.signed[20]
Law takes effectJuly 1, 2026HB273 becomes effective.Effective date stated in the approved report.operative[20]
AI modelBefore December 1, 2026Prepare the state AI model.Local AI policy is based on the prescribed model.enacted_future_deadline[20]
Separate technology policyJuly 2027Separate balanced-technology-policy deadline.Do not substitute this date for an AI-policy deadline.separate_policy_clock[20]

Sources & Notes

This report reflects research as of October 6, 2026. Reference numbers link to the cited publications.

The August tracker counts describe its historical snapshot. The reviewed policy database has a separate scope and release date. Neither is a census of classroom AI use.

  1. HB0273le.utah.gov

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