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Strengthening education, religious freedom and family – 5 bills that will benefit Utah families

March 9, 2023

Utah families will now benefit from expanded education options, enhanced religious freedom protections, and more opportunities for children because of proposals Sutherland Institute actively supported during the 2023 general legislative session. 

Five bills that will make a difference for Utahns: 

HB 163 – Protecting Student Religious and Moral Beliefs Regarding Athletic Uniform Requirements 

Until now, some students were not allowed to wear certain religious clothing while participating in sports. Sponsored by Rep. Candice Pierucci, HB 163 protects students who have a religious obligation to wear specific articles of clothing or garments. If such clothing needs to match an athletic uniform, the school is required to provide that clothing for the student.  

Sutherland supported the bill because every student should have the opportunity to practice their faith while also being able to participate in sports. “In a time where loneliness and other challenges seem to be particularly salient for youth, it is good to remember that religious practice promotes mental, physical and behavioral health,” said Religious Freedom Policy Fellow, Bill Duncan. You can read his insights about HB 163 here and here

HB 209 – Participation in Extracurricular Activities

Generally, public school students can cross district lines to participate in athletics and other activities, but previously that has not been possible for non-public school students. 

HB 209, sponsored by Rep. Jordan Teuscher, removes this barrier.  

Sutherland advocated for this bill as it provides equal opportunity for every student and child to learn and grow outside of the classroom through extracurricular activities. As Sutherland Education Policy Fellow Christine Fairbanks recently wrote, “Our education system includes – and should be viewed as including – public district schools, public charter schools, online schools, private offerings, home education, etc.”

HB 215 – Funding for Teacher Salaries and Optional Education Opportunities

HB 215 provides public school teachers with a 6.5% salary increase and establishes the Utah Fits All Scholarship, prioritizing students in low-income households. Those awarded the scholarships receive up to $8,000 in an account that can be used for a variety of services from state-approved vendors. Approved education expenses include tuition, fees, textbooks, curricula, educational software, supplies, computer hardware and exam fees. 

Sutherland worked with the sponsor, Rep. Pierucci, on this important bill because it provides teachers with much-needed financial support and gives all students an opportunity to pursue an education that works best for them. In addition to these changes, as Fairbanks noted in a recent article, HB 215 includes several financial accountability provisions for taxpayers.

SB 55 – Public School Instructional Material Requirements

Addressing what is frequently referred to as curriculum transparency, SB 55, sponsored by Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, requires a process for a local school board or charter school governing board to follow if the board chooses to adopt or approve instructional materials for classroom use across the school district or charter school. It also requires the governing boards to adopt policies to provide guidance to educators on the use of certain learning materials that have not been adopted or approved under the open process. 

Sutherland supported this bill because of its commonsense approach to the important considerations associated with instructional-materials decisions in Utah’s public schools – in ways that respect and support parents and teachers.

SB 154 – Adoption Amendments

Sponsored by Sen. Chris Wilson, SB 154 creates streamlined and concrete protections in Utah’s adoption placement process. The bill respects the wishes of birth mothers, reduces unnecessary costs in the process, and protects the interests of religious adoption agencies. 

Sutherland supported this bill because of its positive impact on families and religious liberty. SB 154 protects religious institutions while also avoiding discrimination against people with different beliefs and lifestyles. In a recent article, Duncan highlighted the proactive nature of the new law when he said, “It addresses a potential conflict between religious freedom and other important rights before it arises.”

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