Utah lawmakers on Thursday passed a version of a decades-old federal law protecting religious freedom rights, with language declaring their intent that the bill won't impact the state's ban on conversion therapy and other anti-discrimination policies. SB150 is similar to the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act — which was passed more than 30 years ago — making Utah the latest state to put the protections in state code. Bill sponsor Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, has previously said the protections are already in place thanks to the federal law, but Utah's version will serve as a "backstop" to residents of the Beehive State should Congress make changes or repeal the statute.
Utah lawmakers on Thursday passed a version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act with language declaring their intent that the bill doesn t override the state s ban on conversion therapy.
House, Senate agree to compromise language that allows the state school board to conduct a hearing on whether a school library book should be removed statewide.
The Utah Legislature has approved a bill expanding on a 2022 law that allows parents to challenge “sensitive materials” in schools, making it easier to prohibit “criminally indecent or pornographic” books statewide if they’re banned in a handful of school districts or charter schools. The Utah House on Wednesday voted 52-18, mostly along party lines, to […]