Follow-up religious liberty legislation 'likely' next year, Utah lawmaker says

Follow-up religious liberty legislation 'likely' next year, Utah lawmaker says

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SALT LAKE CITY — Rep. LaVar Christensen wants Utah lawmakers to have "open hearts and open minds" as the Legislature considers possible follow-up legislation to anti-discrimination and religious rights bills passed early this year.

But the Draper Republican did not provide details as to what that legislation could entail.

"I believe that there will likely be some. We're considering that now, but it's been an ongoing process," Christensen said. "We're not done yet."

Christensen spoke briefly during the Judiciary Interim Committee's final meeting Wednesday before the Legislature convenes in January, calling on other legislators to continue to uphold religious freedoms outlined in the Utah Constitution.

The exercise of religion is "the most paramount, fundamental liberty of all," Christensen said, and future legislation should be consistent with how the state constitution outlines those rights.

At the same time, he said, lawmakers and residents should be concerned for the needs of all Utahns when new policies are created.

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"I want to make sure that we go forward in an appropriate way. But I wanted to make sure also that we continue to look to Utah legislators with open hearts and open minds," Christensen said. "The end result will not only be correct and well-founded, but it's one that will be consistent with our values of loving, honoring and respecting all people."

He pointed to several bills that were signed into law this year as "giant strides" in protecting religious liberties while prohibiting discrimination based on religious expression, gender identity or sexual orientation. In that process, several groups with a diverse set of beliefs collaborated to craft a model of legislation for other states to follow, he said.

"I just wanted to point out that as we move into another session, I have great confidence in Utah, and I really feel like America needs Utah, and we can contribute as we have in the past," Christensen said. "I really believe Utah can be trusted, as we showed last year, to continue to consider where we are currently and what, if any, additional legislation might be needed."

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