Superseded 7/1/2026
768 words·~3 min read·
/ut/title-53g/chapter-8/7-4A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Effective 5/6/2026
Superseded 7/1/2026
53G-8-802. State Safety and Support Program -- State board duties -- LEA duties.
(1)There is created the School Safety Center.
(2)The School Safety Center shall:
(a)develop in conjunction with the Office of Substance Use and Mental Health and the state security chief model student safety and support policies for an LEA, including:
(i)requiring an evidence-based behavior threat assessment that includes recommended interventions with an individual whose behavior poses a threat to school safety;
(ii)procedures for referrals to law enforcement; and
(iii)procedures for referrals to a community services entity, a family support organization, or a health care provider for evaluation or treatment;
(b)provide training in consultation with the state security chief:
(i)in school safety;
(ii)in evidence-based approaches to improve school climate and address and correct bullying behavior;
(iii)in evidence-based approaches in identifying an individual who may pose a threat to the school community;
(iv)in evidence-based approaches in identifying an individual who may be showing signs or symptoms of mental illness;
(v)on permitted disclosures of student data to law enforcement and other support services under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1232g;
(vi)on permitted collection of student data under 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1232h and Sections 53E-9-203 and 53E-9-305 ; and
(vii)for administrators on rights and prohibited acts under:
(A)Chapter 9, Part 6, Bullying and Hazing;
(B)Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 2000d et seq.;
(C)Title IX of Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.;
(D)Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. Sec. 701 et seq.; and
(E)the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.;
(c)conduct and disseminate evidence-based research on school safety concerns;
(d)disseminate information on effective school safety initiatives;
(e)encourage partnerships between public and private sectors to promote school safety;
(f)provide technical assistance to an LEA in the development and implementation of school safety initiatives;
(g)in conjunction with the state security chief, make available to an LEA the model critical incident response training program a school and law enforcement agency shall use during a threat;
(h)provide space for the public safety liaison described in Section 53-1-106 and the school-based mental health specialist described in Section 26B-5-102 ;
(i)collaborate with the state security chief to determine appropriate application of school safety requirements in Utah Code to an online school;
(j)create a model school climate survey that may be used by an LEA to assess stakeholder perception of a school environment;
(k)in accordance with Section 53G-5-202 , establish a charter school liaison including defined responsibilities for charter school communication and coordination with the School Safety Center;
(l)assist a foundation described in Section 53-22-108 in distributing school safety products if a foundation seeks assistance;
(m)establishes defined roles for a multidisciplinary team and school safety personnel described in Chapter 8, Part 7, School Safety Personnel;
(n)assist LEAs in implementing and maintaining universal access key box requirements under Section 53G-8-805 ;
(o)in consultation with the state security chief, select a system to track relevant data, including the tracking required in Sections 53-22-105 , 53G-8-701.5 , 53G-8-701.8 , and 53G-8-704 ; and
(p)collect aggregate data and school climate survey results from an LEA that administers the model school climate survey described in Subsection (2)(j) .
(3)Nothing in this section requires:
(a)an individual to respond to a school climate survey; or
(b)an LEA to use the model school climate survey or any specified questions in the model school climate survey described in Subsection (2)(j) .
(4)The state board shall require an LEA to:
(i)if an LEA administers a school climate survey, review school climate data for each school within the LEA; and
(ii)based on the review described in Subsection (4)(a)(i) :
(A)revise practices, policies, and training to eliminate harassment and discrimination in each school within the LEA;
(B)adopt a plan for harassment- and discrimination-free learning; and
(C)host outreach events or assemblies to inform students and parents of the plan adopted under Subsection (4)(a)(ii)(B) ;
(b)no later than September 1 of each school year, send a notice to each student, parent, and LEA staff member stating the LEA's commitment to maintaining a school climate that is free of harassment and discrimination; and
(c)report to the state board annually on the LEA's implementation of the plan under Subsection (4)(a)(ii)(B) and progress.
Amended by Chapter 170 , 2026 General Session