S.B. 212
FailedFree Exercise of Religion Revisions
Free Exercise of Religion Revisions
Introduction
Jan 29
Senate Rules
Mar 5
Senate Committee
Jan 30
Senate 2nd Reading
Senate 3rd Reading
House Rules
House Committee
House Floor Vote
Governor
What This Bill Does
This bill amends provisions relating to an action brought for a violation of the free exercise of religion.
Key Provisions
This bill:
- amends the Governmental Immunity Act of Utah to clarify that the government waives immunity in relation to a cause of action described in Title 63G, Chapter 33, Free Exercise of Religion; and
- amends Title 63G, Chapter 33, Free Exercise of Religion, to clarify that a cause of action described in that chapter makes multiple types of relief available to a person that brings the action, including:
- damages;
- declaratory relief;
- injunctive relief; and
- all other types of legal relief.
Plain-Language Summary
AI-generated summary. We recommend consulting the bill text for important decisions.
Utah's existing Religious Freedom Restoration Act already prohibits government from substantially burdening a person's religious practice unless the government can show a compelling reason and uses the least restrictive means possible. This bill strengthens that law in two ways: it explicitly states that the government gives up its usual legal shield (called governmental immunity) when someone sues under the religious freedom law, and it spells out that a person who wins such a case can pursue the full range of legal remedies — including money damages, court orders stopping the offending action, and formal declarations of their rights.
S.B. 212
FailedFree Exercise of Religion Revisions
Introduction
Jan 29
Senate Rules
Mar 5
Senate Committee
Jan 30
Senate 2nd Reading
Senate 3rd Reading
House Rules
House Committee
House Floor Vote
Governor
IntroductionJan 29
Senate RulesMar 5
Senate CommitteeJan 30
Senate 2nd Reading
Senate 3rd Reading
House Rules
House Committee
House Floor Vote
Governor
What This Bill Does
This bill amends provisions relating to an action brought for a violation of the free exercise of religion.
Key Provisions
This bill:
- amends the Governmental Immunity Act of Utah to clarify that the government waives immunity in relation to a cause of action described in Title 63G, Chapter 33, Free Exercise of Religion; and
- amends Title 63G, Chapter 33, Free Exercise of Religion, to clarify that a cause of action described in that chapter makes multiple types of relief available to a person that brings the action, including:
- damages;
- declaratory relief;
- injunctive relief; and
- all other types of legal relief.
Plain-Language Summary
AI-generated summary. We recommend consulting the bill text for important decisions.
Utah's existing Religious Freedom Restoration Act already prohibits government from substantially burdening a person's religious practice unless the government can show a compelling reason and uses the least restrictive means possible. This bill strengthens that law in two ways: it explicitly states that the government gives up its usual legal shield (called governmental immunity) when someone sues under the religious freedom law, and it spells out that a person who wins such a case can pursue the full range of legal remedies — including money damages, court orders stopping the offending action, and formal declarations of their rights.
Documents
Subjects
Action History13
Senate/ filed
Senate file for bills not passed
Senate/ strike enacting clause
Senate Secretary
Senate/ comm rpt/ sent to Rules
Senate Rules Committee
Senate Comm - Recommends Returned to Rules
Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee
LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0212
Released
Last updated Mar 26, 2026, 9:44 PM