Utah Lawmakers Advance Bill Limiting Off-Campus Housing for Trans Students

Proposed legislation would allow private landlords to restrict housing based on sex at birth

Jan. 30, 2026 at 8:07pm

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A Utah House committee has voted to advance a bill that would allow private landlords to restrict off-campus housing options for transgender students based on their sex at birth. The bill, sponsored by Republican Rep. Dave Shallenberger, comes after a similar law was passed last year limiting on-campus housing options for trans students at public universities.

Why it matters

The proposed legislation has drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates who argue it would further marginalize and discriminate against transgender students in Utah. They contend the bill conflicts with federal fair housing protections and could expose landlords to legal liability.

The details

HB404 would permit private landlords to restrict access to all-male or all-female off-campus housing, including dorms and apartments where residents share bedrooms or bathrooms, based on a person's sex at birth. Supporters say the bill narrowly targets gender-segregated housing, while opponents argue it creates new barriers to safe and stable housing for an already vulnerable community.

  • In 2022, the Utah Legislature passed a law limiting where transgender students can live in dorm rooms at public universities.
  • HB404 was advanced by the House Business and Labor Committee on January 31, 2026.

The players

Rep. Dave Shallenberger

The Republican sponsor of HB404, which would allow private landlords to restrict off-campus housing options for transgender students.

Gov. Spencer Cox

The Utah governor who signed the 2022 law limiting on-campus housing options for transgender students at public universities.

Marina Lowe

The Equality Utah policy director who urged lawmakers to focus on issues other than targeting the transgender community.

Zoe Newmann

A worker at the Utah Housing Coalition who argued the bill would conflict with federal fair housing protections.

April Gardner

A commenter who questioned what spaces are being left for transgender Utahns.

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What they’re saying

“Passing a law that contradicts federal protections puts tenants at risk of harm and confusion and exposes landlords to serious legal liability. At a time when Utah faces a housing crisis, we should be expanding access to safe and stable housing, not creating confusion and new barriers for already vulnerable communities.”

— Zoe Newmann, Utah Housing Coalition worker (ksltv.com)

“What spaces are we allowing left for our trans Utahns?”

— April Gardner (ksltv.com)

“If it is, then we cross that bridge when we get there. But I don't think so. We dealt with these constitutional issues last year, and I think we're trying to narrowly thread that needle so that there's no violation of federal law or state law.”

— Rep. Dave Shallenberger, Bill sponsor (ksltv.com)

What’s next

The bill now moves to the full Utah House of Representatives for a vote.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation is the latest effort by Utah lawmakers to restrict the rights and housing options of transgender individuals in the state, raising concerns about discrimination and conflicts with federal fair housing protections.