House approves first substitute to HB 269 to clarify dormitory housing accommodations

The Utah House of Representatives approved the first substitute to HB 269 on Jan. 28, 2025, sending the bill to the Senate after a 59–13 recorded vote. Supporters said the measure balances privacy for cisgender students in shared dormitory spaces while providing access to gender-neutral housing for transgender students.

Representative Roberts said the bill "balances 2 competing interests" by protecting "the right of privacy for our daughters, our nieces, our sisters in their private dormitories" while also "ensuring respect for our transgender community by providing access to gender neutral housing accommodations." Roberts urged colleagues to support the substitute.

In a summation, Representative Grisha's emphasized the sensitivity of the issue and the need to protect all students, stating, "no person deserves harassment, trans or otherwise" and warning that dormitories are places where students are "particularly vulnerable"; Grisha's said clear guidance and expectations will help "ensure the rights of all people are protected."

The House invoked the previous question to end debate before the vote. The clerk recorded the result as 59 yeas and 13 nays; the House chair announced the bill will be transmitted to the Senate for its consideration.

Next steps: the first substitute will be considered by the Utah State Senate; no Senate referral or hearing date was announced on the House floor.