{"data":{"id":"us-ut/utah-code-53h-6-203","jurisdiction":"us-ut","citation":"Utah Code § 53H-6-203","heading":"Abusive coaching policies.","body":"(1) As used in this section:\n(a)\n(i) \"Abusive coaching practice\" means conduct by a coach or member of the coaching staff that creates a harmful environment for a student athlete.\n(ii) \"Abusive coaching practice\" includes conduct by a coach or coaching staff with a student athlete that results in:\n(A) harmful or offensive physical contact;\n(B) sexual misconduct or harassment;\n(C) inappropriate sexual language; or\n(D) conduct that a reasonable person would find to be psychologically abusive.\n(b) \"Athletic department\" means the division of a degree-granting institution responsible for overseeing intercollegiate athletic programs.\n(2) A degree-granting institution shall:\n(a) address abusive coaching practices by requiring a degree-granting institution's athletic department to adopt a policy by November 7, 2025, that:\n(i) allows an individual to submit a complaint to the athletic department alleging a violation of the policies described in this Subsection (2)(a);\n(ii) prohibits coaches and coaching staff from encouraging or advising a student athlete to tolerate an abusive coaching practice;\n(iii) prohibits coaches and coaching staff from discouraging a report for an abusive coaching practice;\n(iv) establishes reporting requirements for a volunteer, coach, or member of the coaching staff who learns of an abusive coaching practice;\n(v) mandates training for athletic department staff on recognizing and preventing an abusive coaching practice;\n(vi) establishes a procedure for the athletic department to follow when responding to a complaint of an abusive coaching practice; and\n(vii) institutes disciplinary action for individuals found in violation of the policies described in this Subsection (2)(a);\n(b) submit the policy described in Subsection (2)(a) to the board and Education Interim Committee before the Education Interim Committee's November 2025 meeting; and\n(c) establish procedures to:\n(i) notify an individual of the receipt of the complaint the individual submits under Subsection (2)(a)(i), within five business days after the submission of the complaint;\n(ii) initiate an investigation of the complaint no later than 30 days after the receipt of a complaint;\n(iii) require the degree-granting institution to ensure the investigation is as thorough and expeditious as possible; and\n(iv) where appropriate, act immediately to stop a program under an athletic department until the degree-granting institution is able to restore an environment that is not harmful.\n(3)\n(a) A degree-granting institution's board of trustees shall:\n(i) review the policies a degree-granting institution creates in accordance with Subsection (2)(a); and\n(ii) approve the policies a degree-granting institution creates if the policies meet the policy requirements listed in Subsection (2)(a).\n(b) Upon approval of the policies by a degree granting institution's board of trustees a degree-granting institution shall send the adopted policies to the board.","path":["Title 53H Higher Education","Chapter 53H-6 Campus Life and Activities","Part 53H-6-2 Athletics"],"source_url":"https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title53H/Chapter6/53H-6-S203.html","current_through":"2026 General Session","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-03T11:34:33Z","sha256":"3d439857ed1f19a043b47c0d6ae5fe142cb16de9b173005646ee67f2a05ccc16","source_id":"us-ut","stale":false,"prev":"us-ut/utah-code-53h-6-202","next":"us-ut/utah-code-53h-6-301"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}