State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > Utah > Title-63g > Chapter-01 > 63g-1-20163G-1-201. Official state language.
(1) English is declared to be the official language of Utah.
(2) As the official language of this State, the English language is the sole language of thegovernment, except as otherwise provided in this section.
(3) Except as provided in Subsection (4), all official documents, transactions,proceedings, meetings, or publications issued, conducted, or regulated by, on behalf of, orrepresenting the state and its political subdivisions shall be in English.
(4) Languages other than English may be used when required:
(a) by the United States Constitution, the Utah State Constitution, federal law, or federalregulation;
(b) by law enforcement or public health and safety needs;
(c) by public and higher education systems according to rules made by the State Board ofEducation and the State Board of Regents to comply with Subsection (5);
(d) in judicial proceedings, when necessary to insure that justice is served;
(e) to promote and encourage tourism and economic development, including the hostingof international events such as the Olympics; and
(f) by libraries to:
(i) collect and promote foreign language materials; and
(ii) provide foreign language services and activities.
(5) The State Board of Education and the State Board of Regents shall make rulesgoverning the use of foreign languages in the public and higher education systems that promotethe following principles:
(a) non-English speaking children and adults should become able to read, write, andunderstand English as quickly as possible;
(b) foreign language instruction should be encouraged;
(c) formal and informal programs in English as a Second Language should be initiated,continued, and expanded; and
(d) public schools should establish communication with non-English speaking parents ofchildren within their systems, using a means designed to maximize understanding whennecessary, while encouraging those parents who do not speak English to become more proficientin English.
(6) Unless exempted by Subsection (4), all state funds appropriated or designated for theprinting or translation of materials or the provision of services or information in a language otherthan English shall be returned to the General Fund.
(a) Each state agency that has state funds appropriated or designated for the printing ortranslation of materials or the provision of services or information in a language other thanEnglish shall:
(i) notify the Division of Finance that those monies exist and the amount of thosemonies; and
(ii) return those monies to the Division of Finance.
(b) The Division of Finance shall account for those monies and inform the Legislature ofthe existence and amount of those monies at the beginning of the Legislature's annual generalsession.
(c) The Legislature may appropriate any monies received under this section to the StateSchool Board for use in English as a Second Language programs.
(7) Nothing in this section affects the ability of government employees, privatebusinesses, nonprofit organizations, or private individuals to exercise their rights under:
(a) the First Amendment of the United States Constitution; and
(b) Utah Constitution, Article 1, Sections 1 and 15.
(8) If any provision of this section, or the application of any such provision to any personor circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of this act shall be given effect without the invalidprovision or application.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 382, 2008 General Session
