Intellectual Diversity in Education and Government

Higher education institutions must now organize public policy debates featuring diverse viewpoints and maintain searchable online calendars and video recordings of these events.

Schools must treat non-curricular student clubs equally, cannot deny them access based on the club's political stance, and cannot require parental consent for non-curricular clubs.

New definitions were added to explicitly categorize 'prohibited submissions' as any document requiring an individual to articulate views on topics like anti-racism, bias, critical race theory, implicit bias, intersectionality, or racial privilege.

Schools and universities are prohibited from requiring, soliciting, or compelling 'prohibited submissions' or 'prohibited training' as a condition for hiring, admission, promotion, or graduation.

State boards and higher education boards must conduct biennial compliance reviews and submit reports to the legislature if violations of the new submission and training prohibitions are found.

The new provisions regarding prohibited submissions and training, as well as the student club uniformity rules, take effect on July 1, 2026.

Prohibited public schools and universities from requiring employees or applicants to submit statements on topics such as anti-racism, critical race theory, or bias as a condition of hiring, promotion, or tenure.

Banned public schools and universities from mandating training programs that promote prohibited discriminatory practices, including those related to bias or intersectionality.

Required institutions of higher education to organize public policy debates and maintain transparent, searchable calendars of events featuring diverse perspectives.

Mandated uniform treatment of noncurricular student clubs, prohibiting schools from denying authorization based on the political or policy views expressed by the club.

Clarified that existing rules against discriminatory practices do not restrict presentations or instruction by guest lecturers or invited speakers in academic or public settings.

Defined 'prohibited discriminatory practice' to include policies that assert one personal identity characteristic is inherently superior to another or that individuals are inherently privileged or oppressed based on identity.

Established a biennial review process for higher education institutions to ensure compliance with these new prohibitions, with potential withholding of state funding for violations.

Prohibits public schools and universities from requiring prohibited submissions (e.g., statements on critical race theory) as a condition for hiring, admission, or financial aid.

Bans public schools and universities from mandating training programs that promote prohibited discriminatory practices.

Restricts the establishment of offices, divisions, or positions whose sole purpose is to implement or promote prohibited discriminatory practices.

Requires institutions of higher education to organize public policy debates representing diverse viewpoints and make event calendars and video recordings publicly accessible.

Clarifies that existing prohibitions on discriminatory practices do not restrict guest lecturers or invited speakers in academic courses or at higher education institutions.

Updates club authorization rules to ensure uniform treatment of noncurricular clubs and clarifies that schools cannot deny clubs based on political or policy positions.

Defines 'prohibited discriminatory practice' to include policies asserting one identity group is inherently superior, that individuals are inherently privileged or oppressed by their identity, or that meritocracy is inherently racist.

Establishes a biennial review process for higher education institutions' compliance with the new prohibitions, starting in 2025.

Allows the Legislature to withhold future state appropriations from institutions that fail to cure violations of the new prohibitions within the specified timeframe.

Added a formal bill title, sponsor information, and a comprehensive list of Utah Code sections that will be amended or enacted.

Replaced fragmented line-edit instructions with a structured, readable bill text format.

Formalized the requirement for institutions of higher education to organize public policy events and provide transparency through calendars and video recordings.

Specified effective dates of July 1, 2026, for most provisions and July 1, 2027, for partial repeals.

Added a requirement for institutions of higher education to organize events on public policy issues, including debates and differing perspectives.

Added a requirement for institutions of higher education to provide public accessibility and transparency through event calendars, reporting, and video recording.

Removed previous Senate amendments regarding specific club restrictions related to identity characteristics and discriminatory practices.

Modified club authorization rules for elementary schools to allow only curricular clubs and noncurricular clubs that do not relate to religious, political, public policy, or social justice issues.

Modified club authorization rules for secondary schools to allow a school governing body to limit clubs to only curricular clubs.

Removed the requirement that schools must deny authorization to student clubs whose general purpose is to 'degrade' a personal identity characteristic, changing the standard to only prohibit clubs that 'promote' or 'otherwise identify' such characteristics.

Clarified that the prohibition on discriminatory practices does not apply to presentations or instructions by guest lecturers or speakers invited by administrative units, faculty members, or student organizations.

Added 'administrative unit' to the list of entities that can invite guest speakers without being subject to prohibited discriminatory practice restrictions.

Prohibits LEAs and institutions from requiring submissions or training on topics such as anti-racism, bias, critical race theory, and intersectionality for employment, admissions, or tenure.

Bans the establishment of offices, divisions, or positions specifically created to implement or promote prohibited discriminatory practices.

Requires institutions of higher education to organize public policy events (debates and forums) with multiple presenters representing differing perspectives.

Mandates that institutions post video recordings of public policy events online within 10 business days and maintain them for five years.

Defines 'prohibited submission' and 'prohibited training' to include materials related to differential treatment based on personal identity characteristics.

Establishes a biennial review process for institutions to ensure compliance with the new prohibitions on submissions and training.

Allows the Legislature to withhold future state appropriations from institutions that fail to cure identified violations within the specified timeframe.

Updates the House Sponsor name and clarifies that existing prohibitions do not restrict guest lecturers or invited speakers from presenting specific viewpoints.