All Roll Calls
Yes: 192 • No: 47
UtahS.B. 2682026 General SessionSenate
Religious Curriculum in Schools
Sponsored By: Todd Weiler (Republican)
Signed by Governor
EducationK-12 EducationState Board of EducationLocal Education Agencies (LEAs)Standards and Curriculum
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Utah degrees require knowledge about religion
Beginning July 4, 2026, Utah higher education institutions must apply an added requirement for bachelor’s degrees and teaching credentials. Students must show a reasonable understanding of religion’s fundamental role in U.S. history. They must also understand religious liberty’s central place in American constitutional government. This adds to existing knowledge requirements covering U.S. history, principles, government, and the economic system.
Utah students gain religious expression protections
Beginning July 4, 2026, Utah public schools must allow students to express religious beliefs in homework, artwork, and written or oral assignments. Schools cannot reward or penalize work because of its religious viewpoint. They must grade it using ordinary academic standards. Local education agencies must notify school officials, employees, and students about the constitutional freedoms described in the law.
Utah schools expand lessons about religion
Beginning July 4, 2026, Utah public-school history and government instruction must cover religion’s role in U.S. history and religious liberty. The American constitutional government and citizenship course is required within social studies starting in the 2026–2027 school year. Its religion and religious liberty standards must be included by the 2027–2028 school year. Course standards also cover founding principles, constitutional powers and limits, amendments, state and local government, elections, and citizenship duties. They emphasize close reading of original documents, including the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Utah Constitution. The State Board develops these standards with Utah Valley University’s Civic Thought and Leadership Initiative. Schools must keep the listed religion-related topics optional, including religious settlement, abolition, social reform, and religious pluralism. Schools may also teach comparative religion and religion’s role in other countries’ history for academic goals, following school rules. State and local school boards must periodically review curricula and activities and seek public input.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Todd Weiler
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Tiara Auxier
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ refused to recede from House amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House Conference Committee - Final Passage
Yes: 45 • No: 14
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ refuse to concur with House amendments
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
Yes: 19 • No: 5
House vote • 3/5/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 57 • No: 15
House vote • 2/27/2026
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 20 • No: 6
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 20 • No: 6
Senate vote • 2/13/2026
Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/13/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 1
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
3/10/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/10/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/10/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/10/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ concurs with House amendment
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse Conference Committee - Final Passage
3/6/2026House Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
3/6/2026Conference Committee Report
3/6/2026Bill Substituted by Conference Committee
3/6/2026House/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse Conference Committee Appointed
3/6/2026House/ refused to recede from House amendment
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ refuse to concur with House amendments
3/6/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Substitute #1
3/6/2026
Amended 3/2/2026 09:03:163
3/2/2026
Amended 2/25/2026 11:02:688
2/25/2026
Amended 2/17/2026 10:02:332
2/17/2026
Introduced
2/6/2026