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S.B. 59 Enrolled

             1     

AT-RISK STUDENT PROVISIONS

             2     
2010 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Luz Robles

             5     
House Sponsor: Paul Ray

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies the State System of Public Education code relating to at-risk
             10      students.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules that require a local school
             14      board or governing board of a charter school to enact certain gang prevention and
             15      intervention policies; and
             16          .    makes technical changes.
             17      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             18          None
             19      Other Special Clauses:
             20          None
             21      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             22      AMENDS:
             23          53A-11-902, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 161
             24      ENACTS:
             25          53A-15-603, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             26     
             27      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             28          Section 1. Section 53A-11-902 is amended to read:
             29           53A-11-902. Conduct and discipline policies and procedures.


             30          The conduct and discipline policies required under Section 53A-11-901 shall include:
             31          (1) provisions governing student conduct, safety, and welfare;
             32          (2) standards and procedures for dealing with students who cause disruption in the
             33      classroom, on school grounds, on school vehicles, or in connection with school-related
             34      activities or events;
             35          (3) procedures for the development of remedial discipline plans for students who cause
             36      a disruption at any of the places referred to in Subsection (2);
             37          (4) procedures for the use of reasonable and necessary physical restraint or force in
             38      dealing with disruptive students, consistent with Section 53A-11-802 ;
             39          (5) standards and procedures for dealing with student conduct in locations other than
             40      those referred to in Subsection (2), if the conduct threatens harm or does harm to:
             41          (a) the school;
             42          (b) school property;
             43          (c) a person associated with the school; or
             44          (d) property associated with a person described in Subsection (5)(c);
             45          (6) procedures for the imposition of disciplinary sanctions, including suspension and
             46      expulsion;
             47          (7) specific provisions, consistent with Section 53A-15-603 , for preventing and
             48      responding to gang-related activities in the school, on school grounds, on school vehicles, or in
             49      connection with school-related activities or events; and
             50          (8) standards and procedures for dealing with habitual disruptive student behavior in
             51      accordance with the provisions of this part.
             52          Section 2. Section 53A-15-603 is enacted to read:
             53          53A-15-603. Gang prevention and intervention policies.
             54          (1) (a) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules that require a local school board
             55      or governing board of a charter school to enact gang prevention and intervention policies for
             56      all schools within the board's jurisdiction.
             57          (b) The rules described in Subsection (1)(a) shall provide that the gang prevention and


             58      intervention policies of a local school board or charter school governing board may include
             59      provisions that reflect the individual school district's or charter school's unique needs or
             60      circumstances.
             61          (2) The rules described in Subsection (1) may include the following provisions:
             62          (a) school faculty and personnel shall report suspected gang activities relating to the
             63      school and its students to a school administrator and law enforcement;
             64          (b) a student who participates in gang activities may be excluded from participation in
             65      extracurricular activities, including interscholastic athletics, as determined by the school
             66      administration after consultation with law enforcement;
             67          (c) gang-related graffiti or damage to school property shall result in parent or guardian
             68      notification and appropriate administrative and law enforcement actions, which may include
             69      obtaining restitution from those responsible for the damage;
             70          (d) if a serious gang-related incident, as determined by the school administrator in
             71      consultation with local law enforcement, occurs on school property, at school related activities,
             72      or on a site that is normally considered to be under school control, notification shall be
             73      provided to parents and guardians of students in the school:
             74          (i) informing them, in general terms, about the incident, but removing all personally
             75      identifiable information about students from the notice;
             76          (ii) emphasizing the school's concern for safety; and
             77          (iii) outlining the action taken at the school regarding the incident;
             78          (e) school faculty and personnel shall be trained by experienced evidence based
             79      trainers that may include community gang specialists and law enforcement as part of
             80      comprehensive strategies to recognize early warning signs for youth in trouble and help
             81      students resist serious involvement in undesirable activity, including joining gangs or
             82      mimicking gang behavior;
             83          (f) prohibitions on the following behavior:
             84          (i) advocating or promoting a gang or any gang-related activities;
             85          (ii) marking school property, books, or school work with gang names, slogans, or


             86      signs;
             87          (iii) conducting gang initiations;
             88          (iv) threatening another person with bodily injury or inflicting bodily injury on another
             89      in connection with a gang or gang-related activity;
             90          (v) aiding or abetting an activity described under Subsections (1)(f)(i) through (iv) by
             91      a person's presence or support;
             92          (vi) displaying or wearing common gang apparel, common dress, or identifying signs
             93      or symbols on one's clothing, person, or personal property that is disruptive to the school
             94      environment; and
             95          (vii) communicating in any method, including verbal, non-verbal, and electronic
             96      means, designed to convey gang membership or affiliation.
             97          (3) The rules described in Subsection (1) may require a local school board or
             98      governing board of a charter school to publicize the policies enacted by the local school board
             99      or governing board of a charter school in accordance with the rules described in Subsection (1)
             100      to all students, parents, guardians, and faculty through school websites, handbooks, letters to
             101      parents and guardians, or other reasonable means of communication.
             102          (4) The State Board of Education may consult with appropriate committees, including
             103      committees that provide opportunities for the input of parents, law enforcement, and
             104      community agencies, as it develops, enacts, and administers the rules described in Subsection
             105      (1).


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