Utah House adopts resolution urging State Board to bar certain concepts tied to ‘critical race theory’ from curriculum

The Utah House of Representatives unanimously passed House Resolution 901 on May 18, 2021, asking the State Board of Education to review curriculum standards and to prohibit instructional materials that the resolution characterizes as "critical race theory." Representative Chris Christiansen, the bill sponsor, said the resolution aims to prevent teaching that one race is inherently superior or inferior, that individuals should be discriminated against because of race, or that a person's moral character is determined by race.

"No curriculum or instructional materials in the state should include the following concepts," Christiansen said during his floor presentation, reading the resolution's listed prohibitions and stressing the chamber's commitment to free speech and to continued progress on equality. He described the resolution as recommendations to the State Board, which has constitutional responsibility over standards and curriculum.

Representative Karianne Perucci moved and the House adopted House floor amendment 2 to align language with the Senate version and to clarify the State Board's role in curriculum review; Christiansen characterized the amendment as friendly and the House approved it by voice vote. After a brief summation, Christiansen asked for support and the House recorded a vote: HR901 passed with 56 yes votes and 0 no votes. The resolution was signed by the Speaker and referred to staff for enrolling.

The resolution is nonbinding and directs the State Board of Education to review standards and policy; it does not itself change statute or curriculum. The House proceeded under suspended procedural rules allowing immediate second and third reading during this extraordinary session.

HR901 now awaits any response or action from the Utah State Board of Education, as requested in the resolution language.