Utah: Big Teacher Unions Use Scare Tactics, But There Was No Threat to Teacher Professional Liability
Utah’s legislature passed HB267, banning collective bargaining for public sector unions, provided Teacher Professional Liability Options
- Research suggests that the union officials used the threat of losing liability coverage for Utah teachers if HB267 were passed. However, any claim that implied loss of personal liability was false, as the Bill requires the state to offer professional liability insurance options.
- Early in 2025, HB267 passed, and it includes state-funded insurance for teachers, with $795,700 allocated for this purpose.
- Non-union groups like Christian Educators offer teachers personal liability insurance as an alternative.
Background on HB267
In early 2025, Utah’s legislature passed HB267, banning collective bargaining for public sector unions, including teacher unions. This has sparked debate, with unions arguing it silences their voice, while supporters believe it enhances individual representation.
State-Provided Insurance Options
The bill included a provision where the state provides a new professional liability insurance option for teachers as part of HB267. The state allocated $795,700 for this, ensuring teachers have coverage for legal defense and damages related to their profession.
Non-Union Alternatives
In addition, non-union teacher groups, such as nationwide groups like the Christian Educators or state Groups like the Tennessee Educators, offer professional liability insurance. Teachers can join these non-union groups for coverage, providing flexibility beyond union membership. Perhaps we will see a new non-Union Utah Educators’ group form.
Brief Analysis of HB267 and Teacher Liability Insurance Options in Utah, 2025
This section provides an examination of the legislative changes in Utah regarding the end of government sector collective bargaining in 2025, focusing on HB267 and its implications for teacher liability insurance. It addresses fears pushed by teacher unions about losing coverage and highlights the state’s new insurance options and non-union alternatives, aiming to inform Utah teachers about their protections.
Legislative Context and HB267
In early 2025, the Utah Legislature passed HB267, titled “Public Sector Labor Union Amendments,” which effectively bans collective bargaining for public sector unions. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Jordan Teuscher (R-South Jordan), was signed into law by Gov. Spencer Cox on February 14, 2025, and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. The legislation prohibits government employers from recognizing labor organizations as bargaining agents.
Key provisions of HB267 include:
- Bans collective bargaining across all government-owned organizations.
- Restricts government resources for union activities, such as ensuring taxpayer funds do not pay for union work.
- Offers a state-provided professional liability insurance option for teachers, managed by the Department of Risk Management, with coverage costs ranging from $75 to $170 annually, covering licensing disputes and employer issues.
The passage of HB267 passed with a narrow Senate vote of 16-13 and despite Big Labor Organized disruption and protests at the Utah State Capitol.
Teacher Unions’ Response and Liability Concerns
Teacher unions, led by the Utah Education Association union (UEA), actively opposed HB267, which ended taxpayer-funded labor union staff costs. Reportedly, the UEA union currently has approximately 18,000 public school educators working under union-controlled monopoly bargaining contracts. And they claim to stand with “Utah’s 30,000 public educators.”
UEA teacher union bosses in an apparent attempt to keep power launched campaigns like “Stop the Power Grab” to urge Gov. Cox to veto the bill, stating, “H.B. 267 Public Sector Labor Union Amendments will drastically limit the ability of public sector unions, including teachers’ unions, to advocate for our members and students” (Protect Utah’s Public Educators and Students Now | UEA). And they claimed they were advocates for children, but in the past, a popular teacher union boss appeared to be more honest:
“When school children start paying union dues, that’s when I’ll start representing children.” Al Shanker, then-President, American Federation of Teachers.
State-Provided Professional Liability Insurance
Research results indicate that the threat of teachers losing liability coverage is false, as HB267 includes a state-provided professional liability insurance option for teachers.
Rep. Teuscher stated in an opinion piece that “My bill also guaranteed that teachers would get new professional liability insurance options, ensuring they have the protections they deserve” (Utah’s HB267: An inside look into the politics behind the anti-public union bill).
Additionally, on February 28, 2025, Utah state officials announced a $278 million funding increase for educators, including $795,700 specifically for professional liability insurance for educators (Utah leaders announce a $1,400 pay raise for public school teachers | KUER). This allocation likely supports a plan or program that teachers can enroll in, ensuring coverage for legal defense and damages related to their professional activities.
The state’s Division of Risk Management covers employees, including interns and student teachers, under certain liability protections, as noted in their FAQs (FAQs and Forms | Division of Risk Management).
While specific details on the new insurance option’s coverage levels and costs were not fully detailed, Rep. Teuscher mentioned premiums ranging from $75 to $170 annually, covering licensing disputes and employer issues, indicating a structured program for teachers.
Non-Union Alternatives and Christian Educators
In addition, for decades, there has been availability of non-union teacher groups which offer professional liability insurance, providing alternatives for teachers. Christian Educators Association International (CEAI) offers membership with coverage, including $2 million in professional liability insurance with job action protection, available for a small annual fee after the first year (Membership With Coverage – Christian Educators). This option allows teachers to obtain liability insurance without union membership, ensuring they have financial protection against lawsuits related to their profession.
Other non-union groups, such as the Association of American Educators (AAE), also provide similar benefits, as noted in general resources for educators.
This flexibility is significant, especially for teachers who may prefer non-union affiliations, offering them peace of mind and legal support.
Conclusion
Stories surrounding HB267 in Utah in 2025 reveal a contentious legislative move to end government compelled bargaining with public sector unions, with teacher unions like the UEA leading opposition efforts. However, research suggests that any implied threat of losing liability coverage is false, as the state provides a new, state-funded option for professional liability insurance, with $795,700 allocated for this purpose. Additionally, non-union groups like Christian Educators offer similar coverage, ensuring teachers have alternatives.
This legislative desire to emancipate government employees from union bosses and to give elected officials control over government employment, highlights the broader constitutional tension between individual rights and labor unions’ seemingly non-constitutional power to compel and control individual employees against their will.
Key Citations
