Utah state legislators are examining proposed legislation that would give college students the right to refuse academic assignments that go against their religious convictions. Republican State Representative Mike Peterson has put forward the bill after his own daughter faced what he considers a problematic classroom situation. According to Peterson’s account to the Salt Lake Tribune, a professor required his daughter to compose a letter to a government official advocating for LGBT-related policies. Peterson explained his rationale for the legislation, stating “Sometimes a student gets put in a position where it violates their conscience and have no recourse.” The proposed measure aims to provide students with an alternative when they believe their coursework conflicts with their deeply held faith-based principles.
