A debate class that asks a student to argue in favor of abortion.
An art assignment that involves drawing a nude figure.
A film class that screens a movie with profane language.
Or a science course where animal dissection is required.
These are the kind of assignments that a Utah lawmaker believes college students should be empowered to opt out of if the coursework violates their “sincerely held religious and conscience beliefs.”
Rep. Mike Petersen, R-Logan, introduced the measure, HB204, which would create a set process for “belief accommodation.”
Under the bill, students at the state’s eight public colleges and universities would be able to object to a required assignment on moral grounds. And professors, in most cases, would need to accommodate — either by excusing participation or offering an alternative option.
Petersen said he decided to run the bill after his daughter, who is completing a master of social work program outside of Utah, was required as part of her coursework to write a letter to a local lawmaker advocating in favor of pro-LGBTQ policies.
Read Courtney Tanner's full story at sltrib.com.
This article is published through the Utah News Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations in Utah that aims to inform readers across the state.