SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — The Utah State Senate advanced a bill that would change diversity, equity and inclusion programs in Utah schools to "Student Success Centers."
HB 261 just passed through the state House.
Senators passed the measure early Wednesday afternoon on its second reading, teeing up the bill for a final Senate note soon. The party line vote was 23-6.
The Senate sponsor, Sen. Keith Grover, R-Utah County, said the bill is about “equality for all,” and the product of a year’s worth of work. But Democrats said the bill could blunt discussion of sensitive subjects in schools, like voter suppression.
Sen. Nate Blouin, D-Salt Lake, said DEI is “for everyone,” and that he benefited from it as a college student.
But Republicans have cast DEI in higher and public education as discriminatory—a point underscored by Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Davis County, during the Senate floor debate.
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