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Utah Senate passes compromise SB 296 to add statewide nondiscrimination protections with religious‑liberty carveouts
Summary
After extended floor debate, the Utah Senate passed SB 296, a negotiated package that adds sexual orientation and gender‑identity protections in employment and housing while including a range of religious‑liberty exemptions; the measure passed 23‑5 and will be sent to the House.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate on [date not specified] passed SB 296, titled the "Anti‑Discrimination and Religious Freedom Amendments," approving a negotiated compromise that extends statewide nondiscrimination protections to sexual orientation and gender identity while including multiple exemptions for religious institutions and faith‑based organizations.
Sponsor Senator Todd D. Urquhart (Senator Urquhart) told the chamber the bill is intended to "balance LGBT rights in employment and housing with religious liberties," describing it as the product of long negotiation among lawmakers and stakeholders and urging colleagues to support the package. "We are attempting to balance rights," Urquhart said on the floor, adding that the bill applies to employers of 15 or more employees and to…
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