Equality Utah

Fair Workplaces. Representative Johnson sponsored House Bill 89, Antidiscrimination Act Amendments, to prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This issue will be considered over the summer by an interim legislative committee.

Bullying and Hazing. Representative Spackman Moss sponsored House Bill 325 Bullying and Hazing, which set minimum standards for school districts to follow in order to address and prevent all forms of bullying and hazing. This bill PASSED on the final day of the session.

Property and Estates. Senator McCoy sponsored Wrongful Death Amendments, Senate Bill 73, which would have allowed people to designate who has standing in a court of law if they die due to negligence or malpractice. Currently, anyone who does not qualify as a spouse or child has no recourse if their family member dies. This bill passed out of committee but never received a vote on the floor of the House or Senate.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Representative Riesen sponsored House Bill 15, Control and Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. This legislation will give the Department of Health funding for an education campaign to control and prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. This bill PASSED on the final day of the session.

Domestic Violence. Representative Litvack reintroduced Domestic Violence and Dating Violence Amendments with House Bill 247. This legislation would make it easier for victims of violence to file protective orders against their abusers. LGBT victims would have the same protections as other victims. This bill passed out of committee but failed by a vote of 32-37 on the House floor.

Adoption. Under current law, Utahns who are unmarried and cohabitate (live together in a romantic relationship) can not foster, adopt, or share parenting duties with their partners. Representative Chavez-Houck sponsored House Bill 318 to delete the cohabiting restriction from the code, ensuring that the best interests of children take priority. This bill was held by the Rules Committee and never granted a hearing.

Homeless Youth. Representative Lorie Fowlke sponsored “Child and Family Protections,” House Bill 23. This bill will make it a second degree felony for parents to abandon their children. 42% of homeless youth identify as LGBT and 1 in 4 youth who come out are kicked out of their homes. This bill will hold parents accountable for rejecting their LGBT children. This bill PASSED on February 21st.

Local Government Authority Amendments. Senator Chris Buttars is sponsoring “Local Government Authority Amendments,” SB 267. This bill would “prohibit county and municipal legislative bodies from creating or establishing a registry or any other means to define, identify, or recognize a domestic partnership, civil union, or other domestic relationship other than marriage for any purpose.” This Bill was STOPPED before it ever got a vote on the Senate or House floor

Revision to Local Government: Senator Greg Bell sponsored “Revisions to Local Government,” SB 299. SB 299 Revisions to Local Government will allow Salt Lake City’s registry to go forward as long as the city changes the name of the registry. This bill PASSED the final day of the session.