Schools to be free

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this public education code, and in accordance with Utah Constitution, Article X, Section 2, the public education system shall be free to an individual: (a) between five and 18 years old who is a resident; and (b) over 18 years old who is domiciled in the state of Utah and has not completed requirements for a high school diploma. (2) (a) Beginning for the 2026-2027 school year, except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), each LEA that awards credit toward graduation shall ensure that each school has at least one option for each graduation requirement that: (i) fulfills the graduation requirement; and (ii) does not require the payment or waiver of any fee. (b) Subsection (2)(a) does not apply to a charter school that only offers one of the following for a given graduation requirement: (i) an Advanced Placement course; (ii) an International Baccalaureate course; or (iii) a concurrent enrollment course, as described in Section 53E-10-302. (c) Nothing in this Subsection (2) requires an LEA or a school to provide, without a fee or fee waiver: (i) a specific activity, course, or program; or (ii) the student's preferred activity, course, or program.