H.B. 342 Enrolled

GANG PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION
1997 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Raymond W. Short
AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE SYSTEM OF PUBLIC EDUCATION; CLARIFYING
IN THE GANG PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION CHAPTER THAT "AT RISK"
MEANS "AT RISK FOR GANG INVOLVEMENT"; AND MAKING TECHNICAL
CHANGES.
This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
AMENDS:
53A-15-601, as last amended by Chapter 105, Laws of Utah 1995
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 53A-15-601 is amended to read:
53A-15-601. Appropriation for program -- Program requirements -- Distribution
of funds to school districts.
(1) The Legislature shall provide an annual appropriation from the Uniform School Fund
to the State Board of Education for a gang prevention and intervention program designed to help
students at-risk [students] for gang involvement stay in school [and], enhance their self-esteem,
and improve their intellectual and life skills.
(2) The program shall:
(a) provide independent gang prevention and intervention both inside and outside of school
grounds when necessary, including:
(i) meetings with gang members and other students whose activities negatively impact
students in the program;
(ii) intervening in situations involving gangs that impact students in the program or can
result in violence;
(iii) in-home visits with families of students in the program designed to encourage parents
to become involved in their child's education; and
(iv) notifying law enforcement personnel when a particular problem cannot be defused or

when required by law; and
(b) [manage case files and maintain profiles on at-risk and high-risk students] maintaining
required individual information including profiles on each student receiving direct services through
the program, including:
(i) attendance records;
(ii) academic records; and
(iii) extra-curricular activities.
(3) The program coordinator at each school [must] shall:
(a) be on the school grounds during school hours;
(b) have received training on gang prevention and intervention strategies in the schools;
(c) have an understanding of the cultural backgrounds of gang members and at-risk students
and be aware of the potential for gang involvement in all situations; and
(d) have a minimum of one year's experience or on-site training in gang related issues inside
the schools.
(4) Individual schools within each school district interested in providing a gang prevention
and intervention program shall apply to the school board for funds.
(5) Individual schools shall be required to provide a percentage of the funding necessary for
the program in their school, at least one-half of which must be provided through in-kind services.
In-kind services may not include office space and support. Percentage requirements shall be as
follows:
(a) elementary schools, 12%;
(b) middle, intermediate, or junior high schools, 18%;
(c) high schools, 25%.
(6) Individual schools receiving funds may provide the program to their students by
contracting with a private entity whose program meets the requirements set out in Subsections (2)
and (3).

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