53G-8-209. Extracurricular activities -- Prohibited conduct -- Reporting of violations -- Limitation of liability.

527 words·~2 min read·/ut/title-53g/chapter-8/53g-8-209

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Effective 5/7/2025

(1)The Legislature recognizes that:

(a)participation in student government and extracurricular activities may confer important educational and lifetime benefits upon students, and encourages school districts and charter schools to provide a variety of opportunities for all students to participate in such activities in meaningful ways;

(b)there is no constitutional right to participate in these types of activities, and does not through this section or any other provision of law create such a right;

(c)students who participate in student government and extracurricular activities, particularly competitive athletics, and the adult coaches, advisors, and assistants who direct those activities, become role models for others in the school and community;

(d)these individuals often play major roles in establishing standards of acceptable behavior in the school and community, and establishing and maintaining the reputation of the school and the level of community confidence and support afforded the school; and

(e)it is of the utmost importance that those involved in student government, whether as officers or advisors, and those involved in competitive athletics and related activities, whether students or staff, comply with all applicable laws and standards of behavior and conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting their positions and responsibilities.

(a)The state board may, and local school boards and charter school governing boards shall, adopt rules or policies implementing this section that apply to both students and staff.

(b)The rules or policies described in Subsection (2)(a) shall include prohibitions against the following types of conduct in accordance with Section 53G-8-211 , while in the classroom, on school property, during school sponsored activities, or regardless of the location or circumstance, affecting a person or property described in Subsections 53G-8-203(1)(e)(i) through

(iv):

(i)the use of foul, abusive, or profane language while engaged in school related activities;

(ii)the illicit use, possession, or distribution of:

(A)a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia;

(B)a tobacco product, an electronic cigarette product, or a nicotine product as those terms are defined in Section 76-9-1101 ; or

(C)an alcoholic beverage; and

(iii)hazing, demeaning, or assaultive behavior, whether consensual or not, including behavior involving physical violence, restraint, improper touching, or inappropriate exposure of body parts not normally exposed in public settings, forced ingestion of any substance, or any act which would constitute a crime against a person or public order under state law.

(a)School employees who reasonably believe that a violation of this section may have occurred shall immediately report that belief to the school principal, district superintendent, or chief administrative officer of a charter school.

(b)Principals who receive a report under Subsection (3)(a) shall submit a report of the alleged incident, and actions taken in response, to the district superintendent or the superintendent's designee within 10 working days after receipt of the report.

(c)Failure of a person holding a professional certificate to report as required under this Subsection

(3)constitutes an unprofessional practice.

(4)Limitations of liability set forth under Section 53G-8-405 apply to this section.

Amended by Chapter 173 , 2025 General Session