Utah adopts book-review rules and HB374
February–October 2022; later rule versions through 2026 · Utah
On February 3, 2022, the Utah State Board of Education approved rule R277-628, Draft 3, on second and final reading. The minutes record that the motion carried, with Member Cline opposed.
Show the dated details
On February 25, 2022, Rep. Ken Ivory presented H.B. 374, Sensitive Materials in Schools, to the House Education Committee. He was assisted by Brooke Stephens of Utah Parents United, and with Washington County Superintendent Larry Bergeson they distributed handouts and answered questions. The committee adopted the second substitute and sent it out favorably, 11–2, with two absent.
The enacted law bans materials meeting its sensitive-material definition in public schools, including libraries. It requires parents to take part in decisions and the State Board to develop guidance with the Attorney General.
The May 2, 2024 State Board packet includes proposed conflict-of-interest limits for book-review committees. Draft 3, dated April 22, names book purchasers and the challenger as examples.
Documented
Who and what is involved
- Institutions
- USBE; Legislature; LEAs
- People and recorded roles
- Ivory; Stephens; Diane Livingston; Cline; Earl; Board members
- Organizations, bodies and vendors
- USBE; UPU; Utah Legislature
- Laws, rules and procedures
- R277-628; HB374; §53G-10-103; referenced §76-10-1227
- Products and information systems
- Rule drafts; local review architecture
Sources (24)
- D100Read the February 3, 2022 Board minutes (PDF) (opens in a new window)
- D091H.B. 374 to the House Education Committee (PDF, page 1) (opens in a new window)
- D092Read the 2022 law (PDF, page 6, lines 147–161) (opens in a new window)
- D101District appeal exhibit, page 1 (PDF) (opens in a new window)
- D102Davis policy, section 4.5.1: access during review (page 6) (opens in a new window)
- D103Davis presentation: May 22 decision and implementation (pages 3–4) (opens in a new window)
- D104Davis policy, section 4.7.7: access during an appeal (page 7) (opens in a new window)
- D105Utah Legislature process summary, page 8 (PDF) (opens in a new window)
- D106June 20 board agenda (opens in a new window)
- D107Watch the full committee recording (opens in a new window)
- D087a 2024 legislative hearing (PDF, page 3) (opens in a new window)
- D108Full meeting recording, starting at 2:47:08 (opens in a new window)
- D109USBE report identifying Davina’s staff role (cover) (opens in a new window)
- D110Follow the official bill history, versions, and floor votes (opens in a new window)
- D086How the rule works (PDF, pages 6–7) (opens in a new window)
- D111See the state’s threshold explanation (opens in a new window)
- D094Read the audit (PDF, page 14) (opens in a new window)
- D112May 18, 2026 committee summary of actions (PDF, pages 6–7) (opens in a new window)
- D113Full meeting recording, starting at 45:01 (the motion is at 57:24) (opens in a new window)
- D114Mike G. to Emily (redacted .eml file) (opens in a new window)
- D115Redacted public copy: Attached survey draft (Word) (opens in a new window)
- D116Aug 6, 2026 packet pages 1232–1254 (PDF) (opens in a new window)
- D117Draft minutes (pp. 4031–4032) (PDF pages 27–28) (opens in a new window)
- D058Utah Legislature — archived 2022 “Rated Book Review List: Author, Publisher and URL” (opens in a new window)
Earlier research pages
Open question
What version-by-version changes affected objective/subjective reviews, appeal and reporting?