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Utah House approves trio of bills aimed at balancing LGBT nondiscrimination with religious‑liberty protections
Summary
After hours of debate over definitions, scope and public‑employee duties, the Utah House passed SB 296 (anti‑discrimination and religious freedom amendments), SB 297 (protections for religious expression), and third substitute HB 322 (religious liberty act). Each bill moves back to the Senate for further consideration.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House of Representatives voted late on March 11 to advance a package of measures intended to expand nondiscrimination protections for sexual orientation and gender identity while also adding statutory protections for religious expression.
The House approved Senate Bill 296, ‘‘Anti‑discrimination and Religious Freedom Amendments,’’ by a vote of 65–10; second substitute SB 297, ‘‘Protections for Religious Expression and Beliefs About Marriage,’’ by 66–9; and third substitute HB 322, the ‘‘Religious Liberty Act,’’ by 54–21. Each bill will be returned to the Utah Senate for further consideration.
Proponents said the measures represent a negotiated ‘‘Utah solution’’ that threads a balance between fair access to employment and housing and protections for individuals and faith groups to exercise religious beliefs. Representative Christiansen, the House sponsor for components of the package, urged colleagues to ‘‘strike the…
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