53H-1-503. Prohibition on the use of certain training in higher education -- Exceptions.

371 words·~2 min read·/ut/title-53h/chapter-1/53h-1-503

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Effective 7/1/2026

(1)As used in this section:

(a)"Prohibited training" means a mandatory instructional program that:

(i)an institution requires the institution's employees, prospective employees, students, or prospective students to attend; and

(ii)promotes a prohibited discriminatory practice as that term is defined in Section 53H-1-504 .

(b)"Prohibited training" includes an in-person or online seminar, discussion group, workshop, other program, or related materials.

(2)An institution may not require prohibited training.

(3)An institution shall annually train the institution's faculty and staff on academic freedom and freedom of speech in accordance with state or federal law.

(4)Nothing in this section limits or prohibits an institution's authority to establish policies that are necessary to comply with state or federal law, including laws relating to prohibited discrimination or harassment.

(a)The board shall conduct a biennial review of an institution of higher education's compliance with this section on one-half of the institutions of higher education and one-half of the technical colleges each year so that each institution receives a review once every two years.

(b)If the board identifies a violation of this section, the board shall:

(i)on or before 30 days after the day on which the board identifies the violation, work with the institution to create a remediation plan; and

(ii)provide the institution 180 days after the day of the creation of the remediation plan to cure the violation.

(6)On or before November 1 of each year, the board shall include in the board's report described in Subsection 53H-1-502 information on:

(a)the review process and each institution's compliance determination; or

(b)if a violation is identified, the remediation plan and progress under Subsection (5)(b) .

(7)The Legislature may withhold future state appropriations to an institution that fails to cure a violation of this section within the time provided under Subsection (5)(b) .

(8)The board shall make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3 , Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to establish a procedure for accepting and processing an individual's complaint against an institution for an alleged violation of this section.

Amended by Chapter 438 , 2026 General Session