1. United States
2. Utah
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose Senate Bill 174, the Exercise of Religious Beliefs and Conscience Amendments, currently pending in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. This legislation, sponsored by Senator Keven J. Stratton, threatens to codify discrimination under the guise of religious freedom. Senate Bill 174 amends Utah Code sections 58-1-501 and 76-7-306, creating legal pathways for individuals and entities to deny services based on personal beliefs. While the bill's proponents frame this as protecting conscience rights, the practical effect will be to sanction discrimination against vulnerable populations, particularly LGBTQ individuals and those seeking reproductive healthcare. When religious exemptions are expanded without clear limitations, they inevitably become tools to deny equal treatment and access to essential services. Utah's communities thrive when all residents can access healthcare, housing, and public accommodations without fear of rejection. This bill undermines that principle by prioritizing one person's beliefs over another person's dignity and wellbeing. Healthcare providers, landlords, and business owners already have robust protections for genuine religious exercise. Senate Bill 174 goes far beyond those protections, creating a license to discriminate that will harm real people in our state. The bill has moved quickly through the legislative process, with Substitute #1 adopted on February 11, 2026, and assignment to committee on February 12, 2026. This rapid timeline demands immediate attention from legislators who value equality and nondiscrimination. I ask you to vote against Senate Bill 174 in committee and on the Senate floor. Utah should be a place where everyone is treated with respect and has equal access to services, regardless of who they are or whom they love. This bill moves us in the wrong direction, and I urge you to stand against it.