Thrs, April 8
Beyond the Division: Balancing Religious Liberty and Equality for Gay and Transgender People 6:00 - 8:00 PM Panel discussion at Weber State University Details here >>
Sat, May 1
2010 Bill of Rights Celebration
6:00 - 9:00 PM The ACLU of Utah's annual fundraising dinner, with speaker STEVE SHAPIRO
ACLU NATIONAL LEGAL DIRECTOR Details here >>
The decisions made by local, state, and federal lawmakers have a lasting impact on our communities. As
new laws are created and others repealed and rewritten, the ACLU of Utah
works to ensure that these changes strengthen, rather than compromise,
our constitutional rights.
Legislation Would Allow Law Enforcement to Seize Personal Information Without Warrant Posted 3/4/10 - The Utah State Senate may be preparing to vote on H.B. 150S "Administrative Subpoena Amendments." This bill, if entered into law, would expand law enforcement power replicating the civil rights violations that occurred in the extensive and illegal use of National Security Letters by the Federal Government. The ACLU of Utah sent a letter to the entire Senate urging them to vote against the bill.
Utah, Don’t Turn Pregnant Women into Criminals Posted 3/4/10 -Last month, the Utah legislature passed a new abortion amendment (H.B. 12) that threatens to criminalize women for their behavior during pregnancy. Gov. Gary Herbert can and should stop this dangerous legislation from becoming law.
Bill Challenges Basic 4th Amendment Rights Posted 3/2/10 - S.B. 277 "DNA Modifications,"
would require collecting DNA samples from all those who are arrested for violent felonies. The basic presumption of “innocent until proven guilty,” a cornerstone of our criminal justice system, is turned on its head when innocent people are included in a criminal databank. Marina Lowe, Legislative and Policy Counsel, testified in opposition to this bill.
Update on HJR24 and Anti-Equal Opportunity Efforts in Utah Posted 2/26/10 - In yet another blow to the national effort to eliminate all equal opportunity programs in state hiring, contracting, and college admissions, the sponsor of an ACLU-challenged anti-equal opportunity initiative in Missouri voluntarily withdrew his petition rather than defend it a third time against claims of unconstitutionality and intentionally unfair and confusing language designed to trick and defraud Missouri voters.
A similar initiative - sponsored by Rep. Curt Oda (R-Clearfield) - is currently being considered by the Utah State Legislature. HJR24 would seek to amend the State Constitution to eliminate the ability of independent state agencies, colleges, and universities to enact policies designed to encourage opportunities for individuals who have either historically or actually been denied those opportunities, and to prevent the recurrence of discrimination in the future.
Bill Seeking to Strengthen Integrity of Elections Waiting for Governors Signature Posted 2/24/10 -SB 53 "Voter Challenge Revisions," is a culmination of several years of work by Utah County Clerks, the ACLU of Utah and other voting rights advocates. This effort began after the 2007 election when the current election laws were misused resulting in a large number of Ogden voters being wrongfully accused of being ineligible to vote. The bill passed the Utah Legislature unanimously, and is before Governor Herbert for signature. The ACLU of Utah sent the Governor a letter encouraging him to sign SB 53.
Bill Violating Integrity and Independence of Utah's Judiciary On Senate Floor Posted 2/23/10 -The ACLU of Utah is very pleased that SB 109, a bill giving the Governor authority to appoint the Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court, appears to have been abandoned. The independence of our judiciary is not immune from attack however, as SB 108 “Judicial Nominating Commission Staff Amendments,” is still on the Senate floor and could be voted on in the near future. This bill would give the Governor unprecedented power over the judicial nomination process. The ACLU of Utah delivered a letter to all of the Senators urging them to vote against SB 108.
ACLU of Utah Urges Governor to Veto Bill Which Would Change Abortion Law Posted 2/19/10 -HB 12 "Criminal Homicide and Abortion Amendments," passed the Utah Senate yesterday and has been sent to Governor Herbert. The ACLU of Utah delivered a a letter to the Governor expressing concerns about this bill which, if it becomes law, could hold women criminally liable for actions that result in the death of a fetus.
Proposed Bill Threatens Independence of the Utah's Judiciary Posted 2/18/10 -Utah Senator Scott Jenkins has introduced SB 108, "Judicial Nominating Commission Staff Amendments," which would give the governor unprecedented access to, and power over, the judicial nomination process, seriously eroding the independence and non-political nature of the judicial nominating commissions.
Anti-Equal Opportunity Amendment Considered by Utah Legislature Posted 2/12/10 -HJR 24 is a joint resolution to ban all equal opportunity programs in state hiring, contracting and college admissions in Utah. If approved, the resolution would appear on ballots this November - and it's moving quickly through the Legislature.
Voting Rights Bill Passes Utah Senate Vote Unanimously! Posted 2/10/10 -SB 53, "Voter Challenge Revisions," passed in the Senate with unanimous votes, and is now headed to the House for consideration! We are pleased that Utah senators recognize the need to protect Utah voters and to discourage tactics designed to disenfranchise lawful voters. Stay tuned for more information as we follow the bill in the House.
Bill Threatening Reproductive Choices Passes House Posted 2/9/10 -HB 12, "Criminal Homicide and Abortion Amendments" would create criminal liability for woman who seek "unlawful" abortions and contains vague language which could penalize women who have miscarriages in certain situations.
Bill Establishes Vital Curriculum Requirements in Sex Education Posted 2/9/10 -This short video explores SB 54, "Health Education Amendments," a bill that would require discussion of contraception in sex education curriculum.
Bill Threatens Reproductive Choice in Utah: Act Now! Posted 2/3/10 -HB 12, "Criminal Homicide and Abortion Amendments," passed out of the House of Representatives and is headed for a committee hearing in the Senate. Although the bill was modified in the House to provide some additional protections for women, the bill still remains a threat to reproductive choice in Utah.
Bill Will Protect the Right of Utahns to Vote: Act Now! Posted 2/3/10 - SB 53, "Voter Challenge Revisions,"
will strengthen confidence in
the right to vote.
It passed out of committee yesterday with a unanimous vote and is headed for debate on the Senate floor. Please contact your senator to let him or her know how important it is to support SB 53!
Voter ID Proposal Would Protect Voting Rights of the Elderly Posted 1/27/10 -HB 79 "Valid Voter Identification Amendments" would add Medicare cards to list of approved identification documents. ACLU of Utah Legislative and Policy Counsel, Marina Lowe, testified in support of the bill.
Should the Utah Government Decide How Pregnant Women Can Behave While Expecting? Posted 1/25/10 -Utah Rep. Carl Wimmer has introduced, HB 12, "Abortion Amendments," which actually has not much to do with abortion, but could potentially affect the thousands of Utah women and families who get pregnant every year.
