Buttars' bill on religious-expression rights goes

Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, told the House Committee on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice on Friday that lawsuits have slowly "tightened the noose" around religious expression in schools and other public places.

He said his bill, SB111, would help remedy the situation. "I think it's long overdue," Buttars said.

He shared examples of students being sent home from school for wearing "CTR" (Choose the Right) T-shirts and Boy Scout uniforms. He said his bill would prevent that from happening.

Rep. David Litvack, D-Salt Lake, said he was glad the Legislature is discussing religious-expression rights but worried that the bill might adversely affect members of Utah's minority religions.

"I worry about the other extreme," Litvack said.

In the end, Litvack was part of a unanimous vote to send the bill to the House floor for further consideration.

It has already passed the Senate.