Dear Ambassador:
First, we wish we were able to rally with you all this week at the Utah Capitol, but rest assured we are planning another event to take place soon!
Second, this email means that just one week remains in the 2023 Legislative Session. Brace yourself for late nights with lots of legislative action.
Here’s what happened on the Hill this week:
H.B. 467 - Abortion Changes
Rep, Karianne Lisonbee
Our main focus is still H.B. 467 which ends licensing for abortion providers like Planned Parenthood and shifts all abortion care to hospitals after May 2. This bill will force our clinics to stop providing abortions and will ban nearly all abortions in the state. It is currently on the Senate floor where we expect votes early next week.
This is a terrible bill that almost no one—including the sponsors—understands. Not only will this bill cause Planned Parenthood to stop providing abortions, but it will make this essential care inaccessible to the thousands of Utahns who need it each year.
CALL TO ACTION: Use this form to contact your Senator now and ask them to Vote NO on HB 467.
Anti-equity bills
This week a cluster of bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) have popped up at the Legislature. Most are copy-cat bills from other states designed to satiate reactionary supporters. Rep. Sandra Hollins spoke about the onslaught on anti-equity bills lined up in a powerful video that can be found here.
We cannot allow these racist attacks on students, communities and educators to go unchallenged. Now is the time to speak up.
Here is a rundown of three anti-equity bills still in contention.
H.B. 451 - State Entity Restrictions
This bill from Rep Katy Hall prohibits state entities like school district and universities from relying on concepts like “diversity, equity, and inclusion” “anti-racism” and “implicit bias” in hiring or admissions. While key changes have improved this bill, it still sends a chilling message to state agencies about addressing racism.
H.B. 550 - School Curriculum Requirements
Rep. Jeff Stenquist introduced this bill apparently not realizing it was a copy/paste of Florida’s notorious “Don’t Say Gay” law. After meeting today with Equality Utah, he proposed an amendment to remove references to sexual orientation and gender identity and make it less offensive.
H.B. 427 - Public Education Curriculum Requirements
Freshman lawmaker Rep. Tim Jimenez is trying to make a name for himself by proposing a bill that blocks Utah teachers from using instructional materials that might make a student feel “discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress” based on their race. If it passes, Utah students will learn even less about racism than they do now.
CALL TO ACTION: Contact your Senator and Representative and ask them to VOTE NO on HB 451, HB 550, and HB 427.
Be sure to check out our bill tracker that is updated daily for more information. We know it has not been an easy legislative season but we wouldn’t be able to do this work without our Hive – thank you for all of your support during the session so far!
In this together,
The Public Affairs Team
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