Utah's legislature approved the new bill that aims to ban diversity programs in the state. Its decision on Friday, Jan. 26, made it the latest one to pass the legislation.
The new bill was already approved by the state Senate and House recently; with the legislation receiving wide margins of votes. Now, all it needs is to be signed by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.
Utah's new bill targeting diversity initiatives is the latest effort against DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs. But, will Utah's governor really approve this?
DEI: Utah Passes New Bill Banning Diversity Programs
Utah Governor Spencer Cox welcomes U.S. President Joe Biden before he spoke at the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center on August 10, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. President Biden was celebrating the first anniversary of the PACT Act.
Unfortunately, Gov. Spencer Cox confirmed that he will likely the Utah bill into law. For those who are unaware, Cox shifted right on DEI as he headed into the final year of his term as the governor.
This was noticeable in 2022 when he vetoed a ban on transgender students playing sports that were supposed to be exclusive to women/girls.
In 2023, the Utah governor also approved a bill regulating religion and race discussions in public schools to ban the teaching that anyone can be racist because of their race and other similar topics.
Now, he wants to sign the new bill that is also against DEI efforts, saying that the scenario where employees need to sign diversity statements to get hired will not happen.
"I can assure you, after this legislative session, it will not be happening in the state of Utah, these diversity statements that you have to sign to get hired," he said via NBC News.
What Utah's Anti-Diversity Bill Covers, Requires
Workers at one of the 19 national pandemic flu service call centres in the country, answer calls from people concerned about swine flu, July 23, 2009 in London, England. Over 1500 people have been employed to man these call centres as concerns about swine flu increase.
According to US News' latest report, the new Utah bill (if it becomes law) will cover government offices and universities. Its main goal is to prevent offices and other initiatives promoting diversity.
Aside from this, the government and schools will also be restricted from requiring employees to submit statements of commitment to DEI.
"It ensures academic freedom on university campuses where all voices will be heard," explained Republican Keith Grover, the legislation's Senate sponsor.
Aside from Utah, some states are also adopting policies that are against DEI efforts. These include Florida, which recently introduced legislation that aims to ban federal or state budget spending on DEI initiatives.
Related Article: DEI: United Airlines CEO Bashed for Trying to Reduce White Male Pilots to 50%; Critics Say Safety Before DEI
