Hotline Form | Equal Opportunity Initiatives

During the 2024 General Session, the state legislature passed House Bill 261 "Equal Opportunity Initiatives." Effective July 1, 2024, the State Auditor is required to receive and investigate alleged violations of Utah Code 67-27-107, 108, and 109 (Statute). Concerns about the content and purpose of the statute should be directed to the state legislature (le.utah.gov) as this body has the authority to make and amend state statutes.

The State Auditor’s authority is limited to assessing compliance with Statute for certain government entities only (e.g. state, municipal, county, and other political subdivisions).

Please note: For security and privacy, information entered in this form is not auto saved. Information is only saved upon successful submission. If you close this page or leave this page before submission is complete, then information entered on the form will be lost. Please consider measures to avoid loss of information in the event of an unsuccessful submission.

WHICH STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY IS INVOLVED?

Note: The State Auditor does not receive complaints regarding government entities under the authority of either the Utah Board of Higher Education or the Utah State Board of Education.

Select the applicable state or local government entity (REQUIRED)

TYPE OF VIOLATION

The alleged action must violate a provision of the Statute, which is effective July 1, 2024. Select one or more violation(s) below that best describe your concern(s).

Violations applicable to all state and local governments

Note: In the case of a conflict between the Statute and federal law, federal law governs. Utah Code 67-27-107(4) and (5).

Government entity required, requested, solicited, or compelled a prohibited submission as a certification or condition before taking actions related to employment or admissions and aid as described in Utah Code 67-27-107(2)

Governmental employer granted preferential consideration to an individual who, with or without solicitation, provided a prohibited submission for any actions related to employment or admissions and aid. Utah Code 67-27-107(3)

Governmental entity required training that promotes prohibited discriminatory practices as defined in Utah Code 53B-1-118. Utah Code 67-27-108

Governmental employer engaged in prohibited discriminatory practices as defined in Utah Code 53B-1-118. Utah Code 67-27-109(3)

DETAILS OF ALLEGED VIOLATION

The questions below are designed to help you organize and provide all relevant information. While the form requires an answer only to question #1, we encourage you to respond to each question with as much detail as possible.

1. Please provide the following information about the alleged violation(s): 1) Where did the violation occur? 2) When did the noncompliance or alleged violation(s) occur? Is it on-going? and 3) Describe any other relevant circumstances and details of the alleged violation(s). (REQUIRED)

2. Who are the employees or officials at the government entity who were involved in the alleged noncompliance or who have the responsibility to remediate the alleged noncompliance or violation?

3. We encourage citizens to make reasonable attempts to address and resolve concerns directly with the government entity when possible. Please describe any measures you have taken to resolve these concerns, with whom you have communicated, and any response provided by the entity.

4. How do you know about the alleged noncompliance or violation(s)?

5. What evidence exists to support your allegation? Please provide details

WILL MY IDENTITY BE PROTECTED?

Complaints may be submitted anonymously. However, providing contact information allows us to ask follow-up questions and investigate the complaint more effectively. Disclosure of identity is also necessary if an eligible complainant is asserting Whistleblower status, in accordance with Utah Code §67-21.

The State Auditor classifies the identity of complainants as a protected record under Utah Code §67-3-1 and the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA). Therefore, we do not disclose complainant identity unless authorized by the complainant or upon a court order. However, on occasion, individuals/entities under investigation may be able to guess or determine complainant identity due to the nature of the complaint.

Please indicate your preferences regarding anonymity and a response by selecting the applicable boxes below.

In the event the complaint cannot be investigated without disclosure of my identity, I authorize the State Auditor to disclose my identity to the subject entity. I understand the presumption of anonymity is waived by selecting this option.

As an employee of the subject entity, I request WHISTLEBLOWER STATUS under Utah Code §67-21. I have read and understand the provisions of this statute and understand that the State Auditor cannot prevent adverse employment actions.

I do NOT request a response from the State Auditor upon conclusion of any investigation.

Third Party Disclosure

If the State Auditor elects to refer complaints to a third-party contractor or to another appropriate governmental entity to expedite investigation of complaints, then the State Auditor may disclose my identity to the investigating entity.

If the State Auditor elects to refer complaints to a third-party contractor or to another appropriate governmental entity to expedite investigation of complaints, then I request that my identity be redacted and not disclosed to the investigating entity.

Please provide your contact information according to your selections above and your comfort level.

Complainant Name (REQUIRED)

Name is required based on checkboxes selected above.

Complainant Street Address

Complainant Email Address (REQUIRED)

Email is required based on checkboxes selected above.

Complainant Phone Number

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I certify that the information I have provided is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I acknowledge that under Utah Code 76-8-504 it is a class B misdemeanor for a person to make a written false statement that he or she does not believe to be true with the intent to deceive a public servant in the performance of the public servant's official function.

I acknowledge that the State Auditor may contract with a third party to investigate allegations of noncompliance with Utah Code 67-27-107, 67-27-108, and 67-27-109

Alleged Government Violations of Utah Code 67-27-107 through 109

Equal Opportunity Initiatives