Utah legislation · 2026 General Session
Utah HB204: Higher Education Student Belief Accommodation
Status: Signed into law, March 25, 2026
This bill broadens a protection for a student's sincerely held religious and conscience beliefs.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 12, 2026:
0 Higher Education Student Belief Accommodation 2026 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: Michael J. Petersen Senate Sponsor: Brady Brammer LONG TITLE General Description: This bill broadens a protection for a student's sincerely held religious and conscience beliefs. Highlighted Provisions: This bill: - defines terms; - broadens the scope of a requirement for a reasonable accommodation regarding a student's sincerely held religious and conscience beliefs; - requires certain notifications and a review process; - broadens the scope of policies that an institution of higher education establishes; - requires the Utah Board of Higher Education to adopt certain policies; and - makes technical and conforming changes. Money Appropriated in this Bill: None Other Special Clauses: None Utah Code Sections Affected: AMENDS: 53H-7-903 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session, Chapter 8 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah: Section 1. Section 53H-7-903 is amended to read: 53H-7-903 . Student religious and conscience accommodations. (1) As used in this section: (a) "Conscience" means the same as that term is defined in Section 67-27-106 . (b) "Fundamental alteration" means a change so significant in an examination or assignment that the change: (i) alters the essential nature, objectives, or standards of a class, program, or degree; and (ii) negatively impacts the student's ability, …
Sponsors
- Petersen, Michael J. (R, 2) · primary sponsor
- Brady Brammer (R, 21)
Latest actions
- : Governor Signed
- : House/ to Governor
- : House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
- : House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- : Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
- : Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- : Bill Received from House for Enrolling
- : House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
- : House/ received from Senate
- : Senate/ to House
Votes
- Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension (March 6, 2026): 17 yea, 5 nay, passed
- House/ concurs with Senate amendment (March 6, 2026): 57 yea, 14 nay, passed
- Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation (February 25, 2026): 2 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation (February 25, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House/ passed 3rd reading (February 17, 2026): 54 yea, 14 nay, passed
- House Comm - Substitute Recommendation (February 4, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Technical Colleges, Education, Higher Education Students, Utah System of Higher Education, Higher Education, Colleges and Universities, Utah Board of Higher Education
Common questions
- What is HB204?
- HB204 is a bill in the Utah Legislature (2026 General Session): Higher Education Student Belief Accommodation.
- What does HB204 do?
- This bill broadens a protection for a student's sincerely held religious and conscience beliefs.
- What is the status of HB204?
- Signed into law as of March 25, 2026. Latest action: Governor Signed (March 25, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB204?
- Petersen, Michael J. (R, 2), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB204?
- On the Utah Legislature website: https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0204.html
Source: official Utah record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.