All Roll Calls
Yes: 151 • No: 35
UtahH.B. 2042026 General SessionHouseWALLET
Higher Education Student Belief Accommodation
Sponsored By: Michael J. Petersen (Republican)
Signed by Governor
EducationHigher EducationTechnical CollegesUtah Board of Higher EducationColleges and UniversitiesHigher Education StudentsUtah System of Higher Education
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Colleges must post policies and contacts
Beginning May 6, 2026, each public college must name a contact for religious and conscience accommodations. The school must post and update its policies, the contact, how to request help, and the grievance process on its website each year. A neutral arbiter reviews denials, and schools must report arbiter decisions to the state board by December 1 each year. Schools must report their new policies to the board by December 1, 2026.
No forced public statements in class
Beginning May 6, 2026, instructors at public colleges cannot force you to state or publish a required opinion on public issues. They cannot require you to write lawmakers, write for publication, post online, or make a podcast that states a set view as your own.
Religious accommodations for college students
Beginning May 6, 2026, public colleges must reasonably accommodate your sincere religious or conscience beliefs. They may excuse you, give a new time or deadline, or offer an alternate exam or assignment. You must give written notice to your instructor before the conflict. Required courses must still be accommodated unless the change would fundamentally alter the class. Instructors must respond quickly and, if they deny, tell you and the school the reason. The school must ensure the fix does not harm your academic chances.
When these rules take effect
This law takes effect May 6, 2026. On that date, the new duties, bans, and reports apply to public colleges, instructors, and students.
State board sets accommodation rules
Beginning May 6, 2026, the Utah Board of Higher Education sets statewide rules to protect students’ sincere religious and conscience beliefs. The board gives colleges guidance on when and how to grant accommodations and how to protect those beliefs.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Michael J. Petersen
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Brady Brammer
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 17 • No: 5
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 57 • No: 14
House vote • 2/25/2026
Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 2/25/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 2 • No: 1
House vote • 2/17/2026
House/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/17/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 54 • No: 14
House vote • 2/4/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 2/4/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/25/2026House/ to Governor
3/16/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/16/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/12/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/12/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/11/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/11/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/11/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/11/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/10/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/10/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/10/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ floor amendment
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
2/26/2026SenateSenate/ comm rpt/ amended
2/26/2026SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/25/2026
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Amended 3/6/2026 15:03:279
3/6/2026
Amended 2/26/2026 09:02:431
2/26/2026
Amended 2/17/2026 11:02:889
2/17/2026
Substitute #1
2/4/2026
Introduced
1/8/2026
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