9-21 - Division of Multicultural Affairs Act
Title 9 > 9-21
Sections (9)
General Provisions
9-21-101 - Title.
This chapter is known as the “Division of Multicultural Affairs Act.”
Enacted by Chapter 221, 2019 General Session
9-21-102 - Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1) “Commission” means the Utah Multicultural Commission created in Section 9-21-301.
(2) “Director” means the director of the Division of Multicultural Affairs.
(3) “Division” means the Division of Multicultural Affairs created in Section 9-21-201.
(4) “Human rights commission” means the Utah Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Commission created in Section 9-21-401.
Enacted by Chapter 221, 2019 General Session
Division of Multicultural Affairs
9-21-201 - Creation.
(1) There is created within the department the Division of Multicultural Affairs under the administration and general supervision of the executive director.
(2) The division shall be under the policy direction of the executive director in consultation with the director and the commission.
Enacted by Chapter 221, 2019 General Session
9-21-202 - Responsibilities of the division.
The responsibilities of the division include:
(1) identifying the needs of the state’s multicultural communities;
(2) promoting inclusiveness and cultivating trust and cooperation between the state, nonprofit entities receiving state funds, and the state’s multicultural communities; and
(3) working with state agencies to ensure the state provides equitable resources, services, and programs to address the needs of the state’s multicultural communities.
Enacted by Chapter 221, 2019 General Session
9-21-203 - Reporting requirements.
The division shall submit an annual written report to the department for inclusion in the department’s annual report described in Section 9-1-208 , which shall describe the activities and recommendations of:
(1) the division in meeting the division’s responsibilities as described in this chapter;
(2) the commission in meeting the commission’s responsibilities as described in this chapter, including the strategic plan described in Section 9-21-302; and
(3) the human rights commission in meeting the human rights commission’s responsibilities as described in this chapter.
Enacted by Chapter 221, 2019 General Session
Utah Multicultural Commission
9-21-301 - Creation of commission — Membership — Rulemaking.
(1) There is created within the division the Utah Multicultural Commission.
(2) The commission shall consist of the following 13 members, appointed by the governor: one individual who advises the governor on education issues;one individual who advises the governor on homelessness issues;one individual who advises the governor on legislative policy;one individual who advises the governor on criminal and juvenile justice issues;one individual who advises the governor on issues concerning families and children; andeight individuals who represent Utah’s multicultural communities.
(3) A member of the commission:shall serve for a term of two years; andmay not serve more than two terms.Notwithstanding Subsection (3)(a)(i), the governor shall at the time of appointment adjust the length of terms to ensure that the terms of commission members are staggered so that approximately half of the commission is appointed every two years.When a vacancy occurs in the membership, the governor shall appoint a replacement for the unexpired term.
(4) A majority of the members of the commission constitutes a quorum of the commission at any meeting, and the action of the majority of members present is the action of the commission.
(5) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member’s service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with: Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107; andrules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107.
(6) The department shall make rules establishing the membership, duties, and procedures of the commission in accordance with the requirements of: this chapter; andTitle 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
(7) The department shall provide administrative support to the commission.
Amended by Chapter 160, 2023 General Session
9-21-302 - Commission duties.
(1) The commission shall: cooperate with the division and state agencies to ensure the state’s resources, services, and programs:advance the interests of the state’s multicultural communities;are properly communicated and delivered to the state’s multicultural communities; andpromote a climate of inclusion in the state;develop and submit to the lieutenant governor an annual report that includes:a description of the needs, goals, and deliverables that will directly impact the most significant and urgent needs of the state’s multicultural communities; andrecommendations on how the state should act to address the needs, goals, and deliverables described in Subsection (1)(b)(i); andconvene an annual meeting to discuss issues affecting the state’s multicultural communities in coordination with the governor, lieutenant governor, and relevant stakeholders.
(2) In carrying out the duties described in Subsection (1), the commission shall: consult with the lieutenant governor; andprioritize programs and efforts related to:employment;education;housing;criminal and juvenile justice; orhealth and mental health, including suicide prevention.
Amended by Chapter 160, 2023 General Session
Utah Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Commission
9-21-401 - Creation of human rights commission — Membership — Rulemaking.
(1) There is created within the division the Utah Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Commission.
(2) The human rights commission shall consist of 13 members appointed by the governor to two-year terms.Notwithstanding the requirements of Subsection (2)(a), the governor shall at the time of appointment adjust the length of terms to ensure that the terms of human rights commission members are staggered so that approximately half of the human rights commission is appointed every two years.
(3) The governor shall appoint one of the members as chair of the human rights commission.
(4) The human rights commission shall meet at least quarterly.
(5) A majority of the members of the human rights commission constitutes a quorum of the human rights commission at any meeting, and the action of the majority of members present is the action of the human rights commission.
(6) A member appointed by the governor may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
(7) When a vacancy occurs in the membership, the governor shall appoint a replacement for the unexpired term.
(8) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member’s service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with: Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107; andrules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107.
(9) The department shall make rules establishing the membership, duties, and procedures of the human rights commission in accordance with the requirements of: this chapter; andTitle 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
(10) The department shall provide administrative support to the commission.
Enacted by Chapter 221, 2019 General Session
9-21-402 - Human rights commission duties.
The human rights commission shall:
(1) promote Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by: encouraging appropriate ceremonies and activities commemorating the federal and state holiday, which occurs on the third Monday of January each year;seeking to involve the public and private sectors in promoting diversity, equality, and human rights;providing recommendations and assistance to government entities and private organizations regarding the observance of the holiday;coordinating efforts with state residents of diverse backgrounds and with private organizations regarding the observance of the holiday; andpartnering with educational institutions to assist schools in promoting appropriate events to honor human rights and the holiday; and
(2) report annually to the division regarding the activities of the commission.
Enacted by Chapter 221, 2019 General Session