UtahUtah schools teach religion’s role in American history
Utah public schools must teach about religion’s role in American history, and students seeking certain degrees must show understanding of U.S. government and history.
What it does
Utah’s public school course standards require study of religion’s role in U.S. history and religious liberty. Many related classroom topics remain optional.
Before receiving a bachelor's degree or teaching credential, students must show a reasonable understanding of U.S. history, government, and its economic system, including religion’s role and religious liberty.
Public schools may teach about religion for academic purposes. School staff may not use their positions to promote or disparage religious or nonreligious beliefs.
Argument forStudents could learn how religion and religious liberty shaped U.S. history, while degree candidates must show understanding of the nation’s government and economy.
Argument againstMaking many religion-related history topics optional could leave schools with less shared guidance about which parts students study.
More detail
Require instruction about religion’s role in U.S. history and religious liberty in the state course standards. The course is part of public school social studies and covers American constitutional government and citizenship. The state board may identify listed religion-related topics for optional study, and local education agencies must keep those topics optional. The course begins in the 2026–2027 school year. Instruction on religion’s role and religious liberty must begin no later than the 2027–2028 school year.
Require students to show a reasonable understanding of U.S. history, government, and its economic system before receiving certain credentials. This applies to students receiving a bachelor's degree or teaching credential. The required understanding also includes religion’s role in U.S. history and the importance of religious liberty to American government. The bill takes effect July 4, 2026.
Allow academic teaching about religion in public schools and bar school staff from using their positions to promote or disparage a belief. These provisions cover public school instruction and school officials and employees. Teaching must serve academic goals and follow state and local school board rules. Public schools may not sponsor or deny prayer or religious devotionals. The bill takes effect July 4, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 25Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 13Senate/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 13Senate/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 11Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 11Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 10Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 10Bill Received from Senate for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 10Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Mar 10Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 7House/ to Senate
- Vote recorded Senate/ concurs with House amendment. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 7House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to SenateMajor
- Mar 7House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 7Senate/ to House
- Mar 7Senate/ concurs with House amendmentMajor
- Mar 7Senate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
- Mar 6House/ to Senate
- Vote recorded House Conference Committee - Final Passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 6House Conference Committee - Final Passage [Conference Committee]Major
- Mar 6House Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt [Conference Committee]
- Mar 6LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0268S01
- Mar 6LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0268S01
- Mar 6Conference Committee Report [Conference Committee]
- Mar 6Bill Substituted by Conference Committee [Conference Committee]Major
- Mar 6LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0268S01
- Mar 6LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0268S01
- Mar 6House/ to Senate
- Mar 6House Conference Committee Appointed [Conference Committee]Minor
- Mar 6House/ refused to recede from House amendment
- Mar 6Senate/ to House
- Mar 6Senate/ refuse to concur with House amendments
- Mar 6Senate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
- Mar 6Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 6House/ to Senate
- Mar 6House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Mar 6House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Mar 2House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Mar 2House/ comm rpt/ amended [House Education Committee]Major
- Feb 28House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Education Committee]Minor
- Feb 28House Comm - Amendment Recommendation [House Education Committee]Minor
- Feb 26House/ to standing committee [House Education Committee]Minor
- Feb 25House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 25House/ received from SenateMinor
- Feb 25Senate/ to House
- Feb 25Senate/ passed 3rd readingPassed Senate
- Feb 25Senate/ floor amendment
- Feb 25Senate/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 24Senate/ passed 2nd readingMinor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 24Senate/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 17Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 17Senate/ comm rpt/ amended [Senate Education Committee]Major
- Feb 13Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Education Committee]Minor
- Feb 13Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation [Senate Education Committee]Minor
- Feb 10Senate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Feb 10LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0268
- Feb 10LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0268
- Feb 9Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Education Committee]Minor
- Feb 6Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 6Senate/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Feb 6LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0268
- Feb 6LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0268
- Feb 6Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Feb 6Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
EducationCivil Rights & Voting