All Roll Calls
Yes: 116 • No: 31
UtahS.B. 1742026 General SessionSenate
Exercise of Religious Beliefs and Conscience Amendments
Sponsored By: Keven J. Stratton (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Emergency ManagementAbortionHealth and Human ServicesHealth Care FacilitiesAntidiscriminationLabor and EmploymentHealth Care ProfessionalsGovernment Operations (State Issues)HospitalsEmergency Medical Services
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.
Broader protections for refusing abortion care
Beginning May 6, 2026, providers can refuse abortion-related services for religious or conscience reasons without civil liability or punishment. This covers abortions, procedures intended or likely to end pregnancy, and disposal of remains from either. Facilities can refuse admission or performance of these procedures, subject to other legal requirements. These protections can limit patients' access; retaliation against providers for protected refusals or filing or threatening lawsuits is barred. People harmed by violations can seek damages and court orders, including reinstatement, but must sue within three years after the claim arises.
New conduct rules for care providers
Beginning May 6, 2026, providers can face license discipline for violating the conscience-rights law. The law also expands conduct rules covering unlicensed practice, impersonation, licensing fraud, improper prescribing, and helping others violate rules. It sets evidence and liability rules, including strict liability for specified violations, subject to stated limits. Providers can depart from established medical standards only within their authorized practice and training, without violating law. They must show that potential benefits outweigh harms, explain standard care and risks, and obtain a written patient-specific notice. That notice must explain the departure, risks, benefits, and reasons. Patients may also be asked to enter an optional agreement defining negligence related to that departure.
Providers can refuse care for beliefs
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah health care providers can refuse specific services that conflict with religious beliefs or conscience. Covered services include contraception, gender transition, artificial insemination, medicines, research, and decisions about life-sustaining care. Providers face no civil, criminal, or administrative liability for protected refusals, which can limit patients' access. They must still provide federally required emergency screening and stabilizing treatment, plus other care that does not conflict. A refusal alone does not prove unlawful discrimination. Institutions also receive liability protection when the refusing provider is an employee, contractor, or has admitting privileges. Institutions remain liable for their own acts or failures to act.
Providers gain protection against conscience retaliation
Beginning May 6, 2026, providers are protected from discrimination for using conscience rights or reporting possible violations. Protection also covers actual or expected participation in investigations or proceedings, but does not permit illegal disclosures. Retaliation can include losing a job, pay, benefits, license, privileges, certification, grants, contracts, or training opportunities. A nonpunitive move to an equal job is not retaliation. Providers can complain about another provider to Utah's Division of Professional Licensing, which may investigate or enforce the law. Complaints about institutions go to the state health department, which must investigate and take licensing or certification action, or seek court enforcement. Providers can sue if the responsible agency does not investigate and take action. Remedies include court orders and damages; people who win may recover reasonable attorney fees and costs.
Provider contracts limit conscience rights
Beginning May 6, 2026, contracts limit providers' use of conscience protections at religious or conscience-based health care institutions. This applies to employees, providers with admitting privileges, and others providing services at or for the institution. Providers cannot use these protections to refuse a service their contract requires or provide a service their contract bars. The same limits apply to contract terms governing how a service is provided.
Care refusals require notices and staffing
Beginning May 6, 2026, providers refusing care for conscience reasons must prominently post notices online and in each reception area. Notices must identify refused services and include the state health department's website and assistance phone number. Providers covered by the reporting rule must also tell the department which services they refuse. The department must maintain online information about providers offering those services and phone help for people without web access. Providers must give their employer or relevant institution advance notice identifying the service and religious or conscience reason. Employers and institutions must adjust staffing when reasonably practicable, but the rule does not guarantee that services remain available.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Keven J. Stratton
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Karianne Lisonbee
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/4/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 54 • No: 13
House vote • 3/4/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 3
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 22 • No: 7
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/26/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/26/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/26/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 20 • No: 4
Senate vote • 2/26/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 3 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate Comm - Motion to Recommend Failed
Yes: 3 • No: 3
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/25/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/11/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/11/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/6/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/5/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
3/4/2026HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
3/4/2026House/ to standing committee
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/4/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/2/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
3/2/2026SenateSenate/ uncircled
3/2/2026SenateSenate/ circled
2/27/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Substitute #4
2/25/2026
Substitute #3
2/19/2026
Substitute #2
2/16/2026
Substitute #1
2/10/2026
Introduced
1/21/2026