Republican lawmaker to sponsor statewide anti-bias bill

State Sen. Steven Urquhart, R-Washington County, will sponsor a statewide nondiscrimination ordinance this year. The bill would expand protections against bias based on sexual orientation and gender identity in workplace and housing.

The bill sponsors and supporters have until March 14 to move it through a conservative legislature and opposition is already building said Equality Utah Executive Director Brandie Balken

“Senator Steven Urquhart of Washington County becomes the official champion for non-discrimination across the state. We know that it is going to go fast, and here we begin. We have a limited amount of time to get the word out about this crucial bill that impacts every LGBT Utahn and our families,” Balken said in a statement.

Recent polling indicates approximately three-fourths of Utahns support the measure. However, previous attempts to pass similar statewide legislation have been unsuccessful. Currently, 16 Utah municipalities have similar nondiscrimination ordinances.