All Roll Calls
Yes: 199 • No: 45
UtahS.B. 2952026 General SessionSenate
Intellectual Diversity in Education and Government
Sponsored By: John D. Johnson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
EducationK-12 EducationHigher EducationUtah Board of Higher EducationColleges and UniversitiesHigher Education StudentsOn-campus Speech
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
12 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 7 mixed.
Government workers gain statement and training protections
Beginning July 1, 2026, covered Utah government employers cannot demand prohibited identity-policy statements or favor people who provide them. This applies to covered employment and admissions-and-aid decisions; separate rules govern schools and colleges. Employers also cannot require current or prospective workers to attend training that promotes a prohibited discriminatory practice. Legally required training remains allowed, and federally required statements can be used only as needed to comply. Federal-grant training exceptions require leadership approval and reporting to the Executive Appropriations Committee.
Schools cannot demand certain identity statements
Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah colleges and local education agencies cannot demand certain statements for jobs, enrollment, graduation, programs, or state aid. These statements concern views or experience with policies promoting different treatment based on personal identity, including specified race-related topics. Schools also cannot favor people who provide them. Federal law allows only the required use; colleges must publicly report these cases, and local agencies must notify the State Board. Exceptions preserve genuine college job qualifications and specified school applicant disclosures about teaching records and approaches.
Students gain fairer club membership protections
Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah schools and clubs cannot restrict membership based on personal identity characteristics. Course-linked clubs cannot promote membership on that basis or require political or ideological affirmations unrelated to their academic purpose. Schools may limit membership to their own school or district students; objective tryouts remain allowed. Except for the club law's stated restrictions, schools cannot discriminate by viewpoint or political position and must apply equal standards. Limits on club expression, conduct, or facility use must be the least restrictive option needed to serve the school's stated interests.
Colleges expand speech access and transparency
Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah colleges must open student support programs to all students and publish required course and training titles and syllabi. Colleges cannot require training that promotes a prohibited discriminatory practice. Faculty and staff must receive yearly training on academic freedom, free speech, and separating personal political advocacy from institutional work. Colleges must support viewpoint diversity and education and research on free speech and civic life. Degree-granting colleges must designate yearly public policy events, including debates, invite differing views, and post searchable public calendars. Events are generally public; access limits require a compelling government interest, and exact viewpoint balance is not required. Independent campus surveys cover students, faculty, and staff, but responding is voluntary. Legislative survey summaries are due November 1 in 2027, 2030, and 2033, with a comprehensive report by November 1, 2035.
School clubs face oversight and limits
Beginning July 1, 2026, schools must review club applications individually and approve clubs meeting applicable legal and school requirements. They must limit or deny clubs when needed for safety, order, student or parent rights, or legal compliance. Restrictions also cover identity-focused purposes in course-linked clubs, degrading identity groups in student-started clubs, and promoting prohibited discriminatory practices. Clubs face limits when a substantial part of proposed conduct promotes crime or bigotry, involves human sexuality, or offers unlicensed mental-health services. Schools must give written factual and legal reasons for restrictions, with appeals available; terminated clubs cannot reapply until the next school year. Each club needs approved faculty oversight, and course-linked sponsors need yearly approval. Religious, political, and public-policy club monitors may only supervise; outside nonmembers need school approval to present, direct, or regularly attend student-started clubs.
Students face new club approval rules
Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah separates school-sponsored, course-linked clubs from student-started clubs not tied to courses. Course-linked clubs must explain their academic connection in writing; applications include purpose, activities, category, schedule, budget, and compliance information. Local boards may exempt clubs chosen by student election or governed by an interscholastic activities association. Elementary schools can approve only course-linked clubs; secondary schools may also choose that limit at any time. Student-started clubs need at least three members, written applications, and yearly approval, and meet during noninstructional time without school endorsement. Schools allowing any such club must allow all that meet applicable requirements, and agencies must publish club descriptions and ensure uniform treatment. Application reviews must also consult relevant and neighboring agencies' club lists.
Student support gains access and funding
Beginning July 1, 2026, local education agencies must give all students access to student success and support programs. They cannot exclude students based on personal identity characteristics. The Legislature must provide ongoing funding through a separate budget line for college student success and support programs. The law sets no funding amount and promises no individual payment.
Students cannot earn rewards for protests
Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah schools cannot award course credit, better grades, or excused absences for political advocacy, partisan activity, or public protest. This applies whether or not a student belongs to a club. Civic instruction and discussion remain allowed when advocacy or demonstrations are not required or rewarded through credit or attendance.
Parents get club details before consent
Beginning July 1, 2026, students need written parental consent to participate in either type of Utah school club. Consent forms must disclose the club's name, purpose, goals, activities, category, dates, tentative schedule, personal costs, and responsible staff member. A parent or club official must file the completed form with the school administrator or designee. Approved outside presenters at student-started club meetings must give administrators copies of presented materials within 24 hours. Parents may review those materials on request.
Student clubs get equal but limited support
Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah schools must treat student-started clubs equally when assigning space, meeting times, monthly hours, and communications access. Schools may provide meeting space, while course-linked clubs have priority for facilities and may receive school support. Public money generally cannot support student-started clubs except as needed to carry out the law, including space and faculty oversight. Schools may limit noninstructional meeting hours.
Colleges face reviews and funding consequences
Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah's higher education board must review half of degree-granting institutions and half of technical colleges annually. Each institution receives a review every two years. After finding a violation, the board and institution must create a correction plan within 30 days. The institution has 180 days from the plan's creation to fix the violation. The board must adopt complaint rules and report annually by November 1; unresolved violations can trigger recommendations to withhold state funding.
Schools face new identity policy limits
Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah colleges and local education agencies cannot carry out prohibited discriminatory practices. Identity characteristics include race, color, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, and gender identity. Colleges, local agencies, and the State Board cannot maintain offices or assign staff or contractors to promote prohibited practices. Local agencies also cannot require training that promotes them; legally required discrimination and harassment policies remain allowed. College limits cover specified assertions, identity-based state aid decisions, and practices named diversity, equity, and inclusion. College exceptions cover legal duties, qualifying intellectual-diversity policies, teaching, research, specified athletics and accreditation requirements, qualifying grants, federal eligibility rules, and private scholarships. The University of Utah may honor required terms of its Ute Indian Tribe agreement entered before July 1, 2024.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
John D. Johnson
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Katy Hall
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 48 • No: 23
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ motion to reconsider
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 48 • No: 16
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
Yes: 27 • No: 2
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/3/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
House vote • 3/3/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 22 • No: 3
Senate vote • 2/26/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 26 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/19/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 3 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2026
Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 3 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/25/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/12/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/12/2026Draft 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
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ substituted
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ motion to reconsider
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ floor amendment
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ uncircled
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ circled
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/6/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Amended 3/6/2026 12:03:253
3/6/2026
Substitute #3
3/6/2026
Substitute #2
3/3/2026
Amended 2/20/2026 10:02:567
2/20/2026
Substitute #1
2/19/2026
Introduced
2/16/2026