All Roll Calls
Yes: 151 • No: 35
UtahH.B. 2042026 General SessionHouse
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: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
More belief accommodations for Utah students
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah public colleges must reasonably accommodate absences when academic schedules conflict with sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. These accommodations cannot harm students' academic opportunities. In courses required for graduation or a major, colleges must also accommodate belief-based objections to required exams or assignments. Changes can include alternate deadlines or assignments, but cannot change essential learning goals or prevent mastery of required skills. Students must give instructors written notice in advance.
Neutral review for Utah student accommodation denials
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah public colleges must set request and response deadlines and protect request privacy unless law permits disclosure. Instructors must respond as soon as practical and follow college policies. Denials require prompt written reasons and notice to both the student and college. Colleges must provide neutral reviewers with relevant academic and subject expertise. Reviewers decide whether a denied accommodation would change essential learning goals or prevent mastery of required skills.
Utah students protected from forced public opinions
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah public college instructors cannot force students to publicly present a specified position as their own. This protection covers political, social, religious, moral, and community issues. It applies to assignments such as letters, articles, online posts, and podcasts.
Clearer accommodation information for Utah students
Beginning May 6, 2026, the Utah Board of Higher Education must set belief-protection policies and guide colleges' accommodation rules. Colleges must name contacts and annually update online policies, contact details, religious-holiday dates, and request steps. The commissioner must annually distribute a religious-holiday list covering the next two years; unlisted holidays can also receive accommodations. Colleges must report neutral-review decisions to the board by December 1 each year, covering the previous academic year. They must submit their accommodation policies to the board by December 1, 2026.
Required student accommodation grievance process removed
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah public colleges no longer must provide a grievance process about how they carry out accommodation rules. This removes the legal requirement, not necessarily any existing college grievance process. The repeal does not specify a replacement grievance process.
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
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Senate 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