Utah Code § 53E-3-509

Gang prevention and intervention policies
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this section
(1)
(a) The state board shall adopt rules that require a local school board or charter school governing
board to enact gang prevention and intervention policies for all schools within the state
board's jurisdiction.
(b) The rules described in Subsection (1)(a) shall provide that the gang prevention and
intervention policies of a local school board or charter school governing board may include
provisions that reflect the individual school district's or charter school's unique needs or
circumstances.
(2) The rules described in Subsection (1) may include the following provisions:
(a) school faculty and personnel shall report suspected gang activities relating to the school and
its students to a school administrator and law enforcement;
(b) a student who participates in gang activities may be excluded from participation in
extracurricular activities, including interscholastic athletics, as determined by the school
administration after consultation with law enforcement;
(c) gang-related graffiti or damage to school property shall result in parent notification and
appropriate administrative and law enforcement actions, which may include obtaining
restitution from those responsible for the damage;
(d) if a serious gang-related incident, as determined by the school administrator in consultation
with local law enforcement, occurs on school property, at school related activities, or on a
site that is normally considered to be under school control, notification shall be provided to
parents of students in the school:
(i) informing them, in general terms, about the incident, but removing all personally identifiable
information about students from the notice;
(ii) emphasizing the school's concern for safety; and
(iii) outlining the action taken at the school regarding the incident;
(e) school faculty and personnel shall be trained by experienced evidence based trainers that
may include community gang specialists and law enforcement as part of comprehensive
strategies to recognize early warning signs for youth in trouble and help students resist
serious involvement in undesirable activity, including joining gangs or mimicking gang
behavior;
(f) prohibitions on the following behavior:
(i) advocating or promoting a gang or any gang-related activities;
(ii) marking school property, books, or school work with gang names, slogans, or signs;

(iii) conducting gang initiations;
(iv) threatening another person with bodily injury or inflicting bodily injury on another in
connection with a gang or gang-related activity;
(v) aiding or abetting an activity described under Subsections (2)(f)(i) through (iv) by a person's
presence or support;
(vi) displaying or wearing common gang apparel, common dress, or identifying signs or
symbols on one's clothing, person, or personal property that is disruptive to the school
environment; and
(vii) communicating in any method, including verbal, non-verbal, and electronic means,
designed to convey gang membership or affiliation.
(3) The rules described in Subsection (1) may require a local school board or charter school
governing board to publicize the policies enacted by the local school board or charter school
governing board in accordance with the rules described in Subsection (1) to all students,
parents, and faculty through school websites, handbooks, letters to parents, or other
reasonable means of communication.
(4) The state board may consult with appropriate committees, including committees that provide
opportunities for the input of parents, law enforcement, and community agencies, as it
develops, enacts, and administers the rules described in Subsection (1).

‹ Prev All Utah sections Next ›


Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.