{"data":{"id":"us-ut/utah-code-53g-8-802","jurisdiction":"us-ut","citation":"Utah Code § 53G-8-802","heading":"State Safety and Support Program -- State board duties -- LEA duties.","body":"(1) There is created the School Safety Center.\n(2) The School Safety Center shall:\n(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:\n(i) requiring an evidence-based behavior threat assessment that includes recommended interventions with an individual whose behavior poses a threat to school safety;\n(ii) procedures for referrals to law enforcement; and\n(iii) procedures for referrals to a community services entity, a family support organization, or a health care provider for evaluation or treatment;\n(b) provide training in consultation with the state security chief:\n(i) in school safety;\n(ii) in evidence-based approaches to improve school climate and address and correct bullying behavior;\n(iii) in evidence-based approaches in identifying an individual who may pose a threat to the school community;\n(iv) in evidence-based approaches in identifying an individual who may be showing signs or symptoms of mental illness;\n(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;\n(vi) on permitted collection of student data under 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1232h and Sections 53E-9-203 and 53E-9-305; and\n(vii) for administrators on rights and prohibited acts under:\n(A) Chapter 9, Part 6, Bullying and Hazing;\n(B) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 2000d et seq.;\n(C) Title IX of Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq.;\n(D) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. Sec. 701 et seq.; and\n(E) the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.;\n(c) conduct and disseminate evidence-based research on school safety concerns;\n(d) disseminate information on effective school safety initiatives;\n(e) encourage partnerships between public and private sectors to promote school safety;\n(f) provide technical assistance to an LEA in the development and implementation of school safety initiatives;\n(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;\n(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;\n(i) collaborate with the state security chief to determine appropriate application of school safety requirements in Utah Code to an online school;\n(j) create a model school climate survey that may be used by an LEA to assess stakeholder perception of a school environment;\n(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;\n(l) assist a foundation described in Section 53-22-108 in distributing school safety products if a foundation seeks assistance;\n(m) establishes defined roles for a multidisciplinary team and school safety personnel described in Chapter 8, Part 7, School Safety Personnel;\n(n) assist LEAs in implementing and maintaining universal access key box requirements under Section 53G-8-805;\n(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;\n(p) collect aggregate data and school climate survey results from an LEA that administers the model school climate survey described in Subsection (2)(j);\n(q) provide training to LEAs on threat assessment protocols; and\n(r) establish best practices for threat assessment teams and information sharing.\n(3) Nothing in this section requires:\n(a) an individual to respond to a school climate survey; or\n(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).\n(4) The state board shall require an LEA to:\n(a)\n(i) if an LEA administers a school climate survey, review school climate data for each school within the LEA; and\n(ii) based on the review described in Subsection (4)(a)(i):\n(A) revise practices, policies, and training to eliminate harassment and discrimination in each school within the LEA;\n(B) adopt a plan for harassment- and discrimination-free learning; and\n(C) host outreach events or assemblies to inform students and parents of the plan adopted under Subsection (4)(a)(ii)(B);\n(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\n(c) report to the state board annually on the LEA's implementation of the plan under Subsection (4)(a)(ii)(B) and progress.","path":["Title 53G Public Education System -- Local Administration","Chapter 53G-8 Discipline and Safety","Part 53G-8-8 State Safety And Support Program -- Security Infrastructure"],"source_url":"https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title53G/Chapter8/53G-8-S802.html","current_through":"2026 General Session","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-03T11:34:33Z","sha256":"4250765cac594fd617ecdf5cb71622ea944029628b9f4ff3981d55778a0f3a43","source_id":"us-ut","stale":false,"prev":"us-ut/utah-code-53g-8-801","next":"us-ut/utah-code-53g-8-803"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}