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S.B. 251

             1     

HIGHER EDUCATION - CONCEALED

             2     
FIREARMS RESTRICTIONS

             3     
2007 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Gregory S. Bell

             6     
House Sponsor: Melvin R. Brown

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill modifies provisions related to the possession and carrying of concealed
             11      firearms at institutions of higher education.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This bill:
             14          .    provides that an institution of higher education may enact a rule prohibiting
             15      concealed firearms in specified faculty and staff offices at the institution;
             16          .    provides for posting of a notice of the prohibition at a staff or faculty office;
             17          .    requires a reasonably proximate secure storage facility for storing concealed
             18      firearms outside of designated offices; and
             19          .    authorizes a higher education institution to make a rule that allows a dormitory
             20      resident to have only roommates who are not licensed to carry a concealed firearm
             21      under Section 53-5-704 or 53-5-705 .
             22      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             23          None
             24      Other Special Clauses:
             25          None
             26      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             27      AMENDS:


             28          53-5-710, as last amended by Chapter 366, Laws of Utah 1999
             29          53B-3-103, as last amended by Chapter 323, Laws of Utah 2002
             30          76-10-505.5, as last amended by Chapter 203, Laws of Utah 2003
             31     
             32      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             33          Section 1. Section 53-5-710 is amended to read:
             34           53-5-710. Cross-references to concealed firearm permit restrictions.
             35          A person with a permit to carry a concealed firearm may not carry a concealed firearm
             36      in the following locations:
             37          (1) [any] a secure area prescribed in Section 76-10-523.5 in which firearms are
             38      prohibited and notice of the prohibition posted;
             39          (2) in [any] an airport secure area as provided in Section 76-10-529 ; [or]
             40          (3) in [any] a house of worship or in [any] a private residence where dangerous
             41      weapons are prohibited as provided in Section 76-10-530 [.]; or
             42          (4) at specific offices located on a higher education campus as provided in Subsection
             43      76-10-505.5(4).
             44          Section 2. Section 53B-3-103 is amended to read:
             45           53B-3-103. Power of board to adopt rules and enact regulations.
             46          (1) The board may enact regulations governing the conduct of university and college
             47      students, faculty, and employees.
             48          (2) (a) The board may:
             49          (i) enact and authorize higher education institutions to enact traffic, parking, and
             50      related regulations governing all individuals on campuses and other facilities owned or
             51      controlled by the institutions or the board; [and]
             52          (ii) authorize higher education institutions to establish no more than one secure area at
             53      each institution as a hearing room as prescribed in Section 76-8-311.1 , but not otherwise
             54      restrict the lawful possession or carrying of firearms[.] except as provided in Subsection
             55      76-10-505.5 (4); and
             56          (iii) authorize a higher education institution to make a rule that allows a resident of a
             57      dormitory located at the institution to have only roommates who are not licensed to carry a
             58      concealed firearm under Section 53-5-704 or 53-5-705 .


             59          (b) In addition to the requirements and penalty prescribed in Subsections
             60      76-8-311.1 (3), (4), (5), and (6), the board shall make rules to ensure that:
             61          (i) reasonable means such as mechanical, electronic, x-ray, or similar devices are used
             62      to detect firearms, ammunition, or dangerous weapons contained in the personal property of or
             63      on the person of any individual attempting to enter a secure area hearing room;
             64          (ii) an individual required or requested to attend a hearing in a secure area hearing
             65      room is notified in writing of the requirements related to entering a secured area hearing room
             66      under this Subsection (2)(b) and Section 76-8-311.1 ;
             67          (iii) the restriction of firearms, ammunition, or dangerous weapons in the secure area
             68      hearing room is in effect only during the time the secure area hearing room is in use for
             69      hearings and for a reasonable time before and after its use; and
             70          (iv) reasonable space limitations are applied to the secure area hearing room as
             71      warranted by the number of individuals involved in a typical hearing.
             72          (3) The board and institutions may enforce these rules and regulations in any
             73      reasonable manner, including the assessment of fees, fines, and forfeitures, the collection of
             74      which may be by withholding from moneys owed the violator, the imposition of probation,
             75      suspension, or expulsion from the institution, the revocation of privileges, the refusal to issue
             76      certificates, degrees, and diplomas, through judicial process or any reasonable combination of
             77      these alternatives.
             78          Section 3. Section 76-10-505.5 is amended to read:
             79           76-10-505.5. Possession of a dangerous weapon, firearm, or sawed-off shotgun on
             80      or about school premises -- Penalties.
             81          (1) A person may not possess any dangerous weapon, firearm, or sawed-off shotgun, as
             82      those terms are defined in Section 76-10-501 , at a place that the person knows, or has
             83      reasonable cause to believe, is on or about school premises as defined in Subsection
             84      76-3-203.2 (1).
             85          (2) (a) Possession of a dangerous weapon on or about school premises is a class B
             86      misdemeanor.
             87          (b) Possession of a firearm or sawed-off shotgun on or about school premises is a class
             88      A misdemeanor.
             89          (3) This section does not apply if:


             90          (a) except as otherwise provided in Subsection (4), the person is authorized to possess
             91      a firearm as provided under Section 53-5-704 , 53-5-705 , 76-10-511 , or 76-10-523 , or as
             92      otherwise authorized by law;
             93          (b) the possession is approved by the responsible school administrator;
             94          (c) the item is present or to be used in connection with a lawful, approved activity and
             95      is in the possession or under the control of the person responsible for its possession or use; or
             96          (d) the possession is:
             97          (i) at the person's place of residence or on the person's property;
             98          (ii) in any vehicle lawfully under the person's control, other than a vehicle owned by
             99      the school or used by the school to transport students; or
             100          (iii) at the person's place of business which is not located in the areas described in
             101      Subsection 76-3-203.2 (1)(a)(i), (ii), or (iv).
             102          (4) (a) Acknowledging that the Legislature has the authority to regulate, by law,
             103      firearms at institutions of higher education and as an exception to Subsection (3)(a), as it
             104      pertains to the nonapplication of this section to a person authorized to carry a concealed firearm
             105      under Section 53-5-704 or 53-5-705 , an institution of higher education may enact a rule
             106      prohibiting a person authorized to carry a concealed firearm under Section 53-5-704 or
             107      53-5-705 from carrying a concealed firearm into the office of a faculty or staff member:
             108          (i) who has requested of the institution, in writing, the prohibition of concealed
             109      firearms in the individual's office; and
             110          (ii) has had a sign posted of the prohibition outside of the individual's office which is
             111      reasonably likely to come to the attention of persons entering the office.
             112          (b) The rule shall include a provision requiring that a reasonably proximate secure
             113      storage facility be made available outside of an office referred to in Subsection (4)(a) where a
             114      person authorized to carry a concealed firearm shall store the firearm prior to entering the
             115      office.
             116          [(4)] (5) This section does not prohibit prosecution of a more serious weapons offense
             117      that may occur on or about school premises.





Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-5-07 5:18 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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