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Utah House narrows scope of teacher‑speech restriction but approves measure after heated debate
Summary
After hours of floor debate and a failed amendment to delete contested language, the Utah House voted 49–18 to concur with Senate changes to Senate Bill 246, a measure restricting school employees and volunteers from encouraging illegal conduct that materially disrupts school activities. Supporters said the bill targets conduct that disrupts instruction; opponents warned of chilling effects on private speech.
The Utah House on Feb. 28 voted to concur with Senate amendments to Senate Bill 246, a measure that restricts school employees and volunteers from encouraging, condoning or supporting illegal conduct when that conduct results in a material or substantial disruption of normal school activities. The motion carried and the bill was returned to the Senate for further action.
Supporters framed the measure as a narrow tool for school administrators. Representative Patrick Howard, defending the bill on the floor, emphasized the statutory limit embedded in the language: "the action results in a material or substantial interference or disruption in the normal…
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