Outline of the state of Utah
State
Utah
Required

Category
Hazing Policy

Category
Hazing Policy

State law requires districts to adopt hazing policies.

Utah Administrative Code R277-409-3. Membership Restrictions.

(6) An association shall establish policies or rules that require:

  • (a) coaches and individuals who oversee interscholastic activities or work with students as part of an interscholastic activity to meet a set of professional Standard that are consistent with the Utah Educator Professional Standard described in Rule R277-515; and
  • (b) the association or public school to annually train each coach or other individual who oversees or works with students as part of an interscholastic activity of a public school on the following:
  • (i) child sexual abuse prevention as described in Section 53G-9-207;
  • (ii) the prevention of bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, harassment, and retaliation as described in:
  • (A) Title 53G, Chapter 9, Part 6, Bullying and Hazing; and
  • (B) R277-613; and
  • (iii) the professional Standard described in Subsection (6)(a).
Policy Type
Regulation

Utah Administrative Code R277-516-6. Association Professional Standard Setting, Training, and Monitoring.

(1) Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, a public school may not be a member of, or pay dues to an association that adopts rules or policies that are inconsistent with this R277-516-6.

(2) An association shall establish policies or rules that require:

  • (a) coaches and individuals who oversee interscholastic activities or work with students as part of an interscholastic activity to meet a set of professional Standard that are consistent with the Utah Educator Professional Standard described in Rule R277-515; and
  • (b) the association or public school to annually train each coach or other individual who oversees or works with students as part of an interscholastic activity of a public school on the following:
  • (i) child sexual abuse prevention as described in Section 53G-9-207;
  • (ii) the prevention of bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, harassment, and retaliation as described in:
  • (A) Title 53G, Chapter 9, Part 6, Bullying and Hazing; and
  • (B) R277-613; and
  • (iii) the professional Standard described in Subsection (2)(a).

(3) An association shall establish procedures and mechanisms to:

  • (a) monitor LEA compliance with the association's training requirements described in Subsection (2); and
  • (b) track the employment history of individuals who receive a certification from the association.
Policy Type
Regulation

Utah Administrative Code R277-609-2. Definitions.

(1) "Discipline" includes:

  • (a) imposed discipline; and
  • (b) self-discipline.

(2) "Disruptive student behavior" includes:

  • (a) the grounds for suspension or expulsion described in Section 53A-11-904; and
  • (b) the conduct described in Subsection 53A-11-908(2)(b).

(3)(a) "Emergency safety intervention" means the use of seclusionary time out or physical restraint when a student presents an immediate danger to self or others.

  • (b) An "emergency safety intervention" is not for disciplinary purposes.

(4) "Functional Behavior Assessment" or "FBA" means a systematic process of identifying problem behaviors and the events that reliably predict occurrence and non-occurrence of those behaviors and maintain the behaviors across time.

(5) "Immediate danger" means the imminent danger of physical violence or aggression towards self or others, which is likely to cause serious physical harm.

(6) "Imposed discipline" means a code of conduct prescribed for the highest welfare of the individual and of the society in which the individual lives.

(7) "LEA" includes, for purposes of this rule, the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

(8) "Physical restraint" means personal restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of an individual to move the individual's arms, legs, body, or head freely.

(9) "Plan" means an LEA and school-wide written model for prevention and intervention addressing student behavior management and discipline procedures for students.

(10) "Program" means an instructional or behavioral program, including a program:

  • (a) provided by contract private providers under the direct supervision of public school staff;
  • (b) that receives public funding; or
  • (c) for which the Board has regulatory authority.

(11) "Policy" means Standard and procedures that include:

  • (a) the provisions of Section 53A-11-901 and additional Standard, procedures, and training adopted in an open meeting by a local board of education or charter school board that:
  • (i) defines hazing, bullying, cyber-bullying, and harassment;
  • (ii) prohibits hazing and bullying;
  • (iii) requires annual discussion and training designed to prevent hazing, bullying, cyber-bullying, discipline, emergency safety interventions, and harassment among school employees and students; and
  • (iv) provides for enforcement through employment action or student discipline.

(12) "Qualifying minor" means a school-age minor who:

  • (a) is at least nine years old; or
  • (b) turns nine years old at any time during the school year.

(13) "School" means any public elementary or secondary school or charter school.

(14) "School board" means:

  • (a) a local school board; or
  • (b) a local charter board.

(15) "School employee" means:

  • (a) a school teacher;
  • (b) a school staff member;
  • (c) a school administrator; or
  • (d) any other person employed, directly or indirectly, by an LEA.

(16) "Seclusionary time out" means that a student is:

  • (a) placed in a safe enclosed area by school personnel in accordance with the requirements of Rules R392-200 and R710-4;
  • (b) purposefully isolated from adults and peers; and
  • (c) prevented from leaving, or reasonably believes that the student will be prevented from leaving, the enclosed area.

(17) "Section 504 accomodation plan," required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, means a plan designed to accommodate an individual who has been determined, as a result of an evaluation, to have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

(18) "Self-Discipline" means a personal system of organized behavior designed to promote self-interest while contributing to the welfare of others.

Policy Type
Regulation

Utah Administrative Code R277-613-1. Authority and purpose.

(1) This rule is authorized by:

  • (a) Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3, which vests general control and supervision over public education in the Board; and
  • (b) Subsection 53E-3-401(4)(a), which allows the Board to make rules to execute the Board's duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law.

(2) The purpose of the rule is to:

  • (a) require LEAs to develop, update, and implement bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, retaliation, and abusive conduct policies at the school district and school level;
  • (b) provide for regular and meaningful training of school employees and students;
  • (c) provide for enforcement of the policies in schools, at the state level and in public school athletic programs; and
  • (d) require an LEA to review allegations of bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, retaliation, and abusive conduct.
Policy Type
Regulation

Utah Administrative Code R277-613-2. Definitions.

(6) "Hazing" means the same as that term is defined in Subsection 53G-9-601(5).

(9) "Policy" means Standard and procedures that:

  • (a) are required in Section 53G-9-605;
  • (b) include the provisions of Section 53G-8-202; and
  • (c) provide additional Standard, procedures, and training adopted in an open meeting by an LEA board that:
  • (i) define bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, retaliation, and abusive conduct;
  • (ii) prohibit bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, retaliation, and abusive conduct;
  • (iii) require regular annual discussion and training designed to prevent bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, and retaliation among school employees and students; and
  • (iv) provide for enforcement through employment action or student discipline.
Policy Type
Regulation

Utah Administrative Code R277-613-3. Superintendent responsibilities.

(1) Subject to availability of funds, the Superintendent shall provide:

  • (a) a model policy on bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, and retaliation as required in Section 53G-9-606;
  • (b) model training and training opportunities on:
  • (i) the prevention and identification of bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, and retaliation, that an LEA may use to train the LEA's employees, contract employees, and volunteers, including coaches; and
  • (ii) the reporting and review requirements in Section R277-613-5;
  • (c) evidence based practices and policies related to the prevention of bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, and retaliation.

(2) Although an LEA is required to have a policy on bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, retaliation and abusive conduct as described in Section 53G-9-605 and this rule and provide training as described in Section 53G-9-607 and this rule, the LEA is not required to use the model policy or model training developed by the Superintendent described in Subsection (1).

(3) The Board may interrupt disbursements of funds consistent with Subsection 53E-3-401(8) and Rule R277-114 for failure of an LEA to comply with:

  • (a) Title 53G, Chapter 9, Bulling and Hazing; and
  • (b) this rule.

(4) In addition to the requirements of Title 53G, Chapter 9, Bullying and Hazing and this R277-613, LEAs are required to comply with applicable federal requirements.

Policy Type
Regulation

Utah Administrative Code R277-613-4. LEA Responsibility to Create or Update Bullying Policies.

(1) In addition to the requirements of Subsection 53G-9-605(3), an LEA shall:

  • (a) develop, update, and implement policies as required by Section 53G-9-605 and this rule, which shall include a prohibition on:
  • (i) bullying;
  • (ii) cyber-bullying;
  • (iii) hazing;
  • (iv) retaliation; and
  • (v) making a false report;
  • (b) post a copy of the LEA's policy on the LEA website;
  • (c) develop an action plan to address a reported incident of bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, or retaliation; and
  • (d) provide a requirement for a signed statement that meets the requirements of Subsection 53G-9-605(3)(h) annually.

(2)

  • (a) As required by Section 53G-9-605, an LEA shall notify a parent of:
  • (i) a parent's student's threat to commit suicide; or
  • (ii) an incident of bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, or retaliation involving the parent's student as a victim or an individual who is alleged to have engaged in prohibited conduct.
  • (b) An LEA shall:
  • (i) notify a parent described in Subsection (2)(a) in a timely manner;
  • (ii) designate the appropriate school employee to provide parental notification; and
  • (iii) designate the format in which notification is provided to parents and maintained by the LEA.

(3) Subject to the parental consent requirements of Section 53E-9-203, if applicable, an LEA shall assess students about the prevalence of bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, and retaliation in LEAs and schools, specifically locations where students are unsafe and additional adult supervision may be required, such as playgrounds, hallways, and lunch areas.

(4) An LEA shall take strong responsive action against retaliation, including assistance to victims and their parents in reporting subsequent problems and new incidents.

(5)

  • (a) An LEA shall provide that students, school employees, coaches, and volunteers receive training on bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, and retaliation, from individuals qualified to provide such training.
  • (b) The training described in Subsection (5)(a) shall:
  • (i) include information on various types of aggression and bullying, including:
  • (A) overt aggression that may include physical fighting such as punching, shoving, kicking, and verbal threatening behavior, such as name calling, or both physical and verbal aggression or threatening behavior;
  • (B) relational aggression or indirect, covert, or social aggression, including rumor spreading, intimidation, enlisting a friend to assault a child, and social isolation;
  • (C) sexual aggression or acts of a sexual nature or with sexual overtones;
  • (D) cyber-bullying, including use of email, web pages, text messaging, instant messaging, social media, three-way calling or messaging or any other electronic means for aggression inside or outside of school;
  • (E) bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing and retaliation based upon the students' or employees' identification as part of any group protected from discrimination under the following federal laws:
  • (i) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin;
  • (ii) Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, including discrimination on the basis of sex; or
  • (iii) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, including discrimination on the basis of disability; and
  • (F) bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, and retaliation based upon the students' or employees' actual or perceived characteristics, including race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or other physical or mental attributes or conformance or failure to conform with stereotypes;
  • (ii) complement the suicide prevention program required for students under Rule R277-620 and the suicide prevention training required for licensed educators consistent with Subsection 53G-9-704(1); and
  • (iii) include information on when issues relating to this rule may lead to student or employee discipline.

(6) The training described in Subsection (5) shall be offered to:

  • (a) new school employees, coaches, and volunteers; and
  • (b) all school employees, coaches, and volunteers at least once every three years.

(7)

  • (a) An LEA's policies developed under this section shall complement existing school policies and research based school discipline plans.
  • (b) Consistent with Rule R277-609, the discipline plan shall provide direction for dealing with bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, retaliation and disruptive students.
  • (c) An LEA shall ensure that a discipline plan required by Rule R277-609:
  • (i) directs schools to determine the range of behaviors and establish the continuum of administrative procedures to be used by school personnel to address the behavior of students;
  • (ii) provides for identification, by position, of individuals designated to issue notices of disruptive student behavior, bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, and retaliation;
  • (iii) designates to whom notices shall be provided;
  • (iv) provides for documentation of disruptive student behavior in the LEA's student information system;
  • (v) includes strategies to provide for necessary adult supervision;
  • (vi) is clearly written and consistently enforced; and
  • (vii) includes administration, instruction and support staff, students, parents, community council and other community members in policy development, training and prevention implementation so as to create a community sense of participation, ownership, support and responsibility.
Policy Type
Regulation

Utah Administrative Code R277-613-5. Reporting and Incident Investigations of Allegations of Bullying, Cyber-bullying, Hazing, and Retaliation.

(1) In addition to the requirements of Subsection 53G-9-605(3), an LEA shall:

  • (a) develop, update, and implement policies as required by Section 53G-9-605 and this rule, which shall include a prohibition on:

  • (i) bullying;

  • (ii) cyber-bullying;

  • (iii) hazing;

  • (iv) retaliation; and

  • (v) making a false report;

  • (b) post a copy of the LEA's policy on the LEA website;

  • (c) develop an action plan to address a reported incident of bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, or retaliation; and

  • (d) provide a requirement for a signed statement that meets the requirements of Subsection 53G-9-605(3)(h) annually.

(2)

  • (a) An LEA shall investigate allegations of incidents described in Subsection (1)(a) by interviewing at least the alleged victim and the individual who is alleged to have engaged in prohibited conduct.

  • (b) An LEA may also interview the following as part of an investigation:

  • (i) parents of the alleged victim and the individual who is alleged to have engaged in prohibited conduct;

  • (ii) any witnesses;

  • (iii) school staff; and

  • (iv) other individuals who may provide additional information.

  • (c) An individual who investigates an allegation of an incident shall inform an individual being interviewed that:

  • (i) to the extent allowed by law, the individual is required to keep all details of the interview confidential; and

  • (ii) further reports of bullying will become part of the review.

(3) The confidentiality requirement in Subsection (2)(c) does not apply to:

  • (a) conversations with law enforcement professionals;
  • (b) requests for information pursuant to a warrant or subpoena;
  • (c) a state or federal reporting requirement; or
  • (d) other reporting required by this rule.

(4) In conducting an investigation under this section, an LEA may:

  • (a) review disciplinary reports of involved students; and
  • (b) review physical evidence, consistent with search and seizure law in schools, which may include:
  • (i) video or audio;
  • (ii) notes;
  • (iii) email;
  • (iv) text messages;
  • (v) social media; or
  • (vi) graffiti.

(5) An LEA shall adopt a policy outlining under what circumstances the LEA will report incidents of bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, and retaliation to law enforcement.

(6) Following an investigation of a confirmed allegation of an incident of bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, or retaliation, if appropriate, an LEA may:

  • (a) in accordance with the requirements in Subsection (6), take positive restorative justice practice action, in accordance with policies established by the LEA; and
  • (b) support involved students through trauma-informed practices, if appropriate.

(6)

  • (a) An alleged victim is not required to participate in a restorative justice practice with an individual who is alleged to have engaged in prohibited conduct as described in Subsection (5)(a).
  • (b) If an LEA would like an alleged victim who is a student to participate in a restorative justice practice, the LEA shall notify the alleged victim's parent of the restorative justice practice and obtain consent from the alleged victim's parent before including the alleged victim in the process.

(7) A grievance process required under Subsection 53G-9-605(3)(f) shall be consistent with the LEA's established grievance process.

(8) An LEA shall, as required by Subsection 53G-9-606(2), report the following annually, on or before June 30, to the Superintendent in accordance with the Superintendent's submission requirements:

  • (a) a copy of LEA's policy required in Section R277-613-4;
  • (b) implementation of the signed statement requirement described in Subsection 53G-9-605(3)(h);
  • (c) verification of the LEA's training of school employees relating to bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, and retaliation described in Section 53G-9-607;
  • (d) incidents of bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, and retaliation;
  • (e) the number of incidents described in Subsection (8)(d) required to be reported separately under federal law, including the reporting requirements in:
  • (i) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964;
  • (ii) Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; or
  • (iii) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; and
  • (f) the number of incidents described in Subsection (8)(d) that include a student who was bullied, cyber-bullied, hazed, or retaliated against based on the student's actual or perceived characteristics, including disability, race, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

(9) The requirements of this R277-613 are in addition to any federal requirements, including reporting civil rights violations to the appropriate entities and taking other appropriate action.

Policy Type
Regulation

Utah Administrative Code R277-613-6. Training by LEAs Specific to Participants in Public School Athletic Programs and School Clubs.

(1)

  • (a) Prior to any student, employee or volunteer coach participating in a public school sponsored athletic program, both curricular and extracurricular, or extracurricular club or activity, the student, employee or coach shall participate in bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, and retaliation prevention training.
  • (b) A training described in Subsection (1)(a) shall be offered to new participants on an annual basis and to all participants at least once every three years.

(2) An LEA shall inform student athletes and extracurricular club members of prohibited activities under this rule and potential consequences for violation of the law and the rule.

(3) An LEA shall maintain training participant lists or signatures, to be provided to the Board upon request.

Policy Type
Regulation

Utah Administrative Code R277-613-7. Abusive Conduct.

(1) An LEA shall prohibit abusive conduct.

(2) An LEA's bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, abusive conduct, and retaliation policy, required in Section 53A-11a-301 and this rule, shall include a grievance process for a school employee who has experienced abusive conduct as described in Subsection 53G-9-605(3)(f).

Policy Type
Regulation

Utah Code 53G-8-209. Extracurricular activities -- Prohibited conduct -- Reporting of violations -- Limitation of liability.

(2)

  • (a) The state board may, and local school boards and charter school governing boards shall, adopt rules or policies implementing this section that apply to both students and staff.
  • (b) The rules or policies described in Subsection (2)(a) shall include prohibitions against the following types of conduct in accordance with Section link text53G-8-211, while in the classroom, on school property, during school sponsored activities, or regardless of the location or circumstance, affecting a person or property described in Subsections 53G-8-203(1)(e)(i) through (iv):
  • (i) the use of foul, abusive, or profane language while engaged in school related activities;
  • (ii) the illicit use, possession, or distribution of:
  • (A) a controlled substance or drug paraphernalia;
  • (B) a tobacco product, an electronic cigarette product, or a nicotine product as those terms are defined in Section 76-10-101 ; or
  • (C) an alcoholic beverage; and
  • (iii) hazing, demeaning, or assaultive behavior, whether consensual or not, including behavior involving physical violence, restraint, improper touching, or inappropriate exposure of body parts not normally exposed in public settings, forced ingestion of any substance, or any act which would constitute a crime against a person or public order under state law.
Policy Type
Statute

Utah Code 53G-9-601. Definitions.

(5)

  • (a) “Hazing” means a school employee or student intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly committing an act or causing another individual to commit an act toward a school employee or student that:

  • (i)

  • (A) endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a school employee or student;

  • (B) involves any brutality of a physical nature, including whipping, beating, branding, calisthenics, bruising, electric shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or exposure to the elements;

  • (C) involves consumption of any food, alcoholic product, drug, or other substance or other physical activity that endangers the mental or physical health and safety of a school employee or student; or

  • (D) involves any activity that would subject a school employee or student to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, extended isolation from social contact, or conduct that subjects a school employee or student to extreme embarrassment, shame, or humiliation; and

  • (ii)

  • (A) is committed for the purpose of initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, holding office in, or as a condition for membership in a school or school sponsored team, organization, program, club, or event; or

  • (B) is directed toward a school employee or student whom the individual who commits the act knows, at the time the act is committed, is a member of, or candidate for membership in, a school or school sponsored team, organization, program, club, or event in which the individual who commits the act also participates.

  • (b) The conduct described in Subsection (5)(a) constitutes hazing, regardless of whether the school employee or student against whom the conduct is committed directed, consented to, or acquiesced in, the conduct.

Policy Type
Statute

Utah Code 53G-9-602. Bullying, hazing, and cyber-bullying prohibited.

(1) A school employee or student may not engage in bullying a school employee or student:

  • (a) on school property;
  • (b) at a school related or sponsored event;
  • (c) on a school bus;
  • (d) at a school bus stop; or
  • (e) while the school employee or student is traveling to or from a location or event described in Subsections (1)(a) through (d).

(2) A school employee or student may not engage in hazing or cyber-bullying a school employee or student at any time or in any location.

Policy Type
Statute

Utah Code 53G-9-603. Retaliation and making a false allegation prohibited.

(1) A school employee or student may not engage in retaliation against:

  • (a) a school employee;
  • (b) a student; or
  • (c) an investigator for, or a witness of, an alleged incident of bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, or retaliation.

(2) A school employee or student may not make a false allegation of bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, or retaliation against a school employee or student.

Policy Type
Statute

Utah Code 53G-9-604. Parental notification of certain incidents and threats required.

(1) A school shall:

  • (a) notify a parent if the parent’s student threatens to commit suicide; or
  • (b) notify the parents of each student involved in an incident of bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, abusive conduct, or retaliation of the incident involving each parent’s student.

(2)

  • (a) If a school notifies a parent of an incident or threat required to be reported under Subsection (1), the school shall produce and maintain a record that verifies that the parent was notified of the incident or threat.
  • (b) A school shall maintain a record described in Subsection (2)(a) in accordance with the requirements of:
  • (i) Title 53E, Chapter 9, Part 2, Student Privacy;
  • (ii) Title 53E, Chapter 9, Part 3, Student Data Protection;
  • (iii) the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1232g; and
  • (iv) 34 C.F.R. Part 99.

(3) A local school board or charter school governing board shall adopt a policy regarding the process for:

  • (a) notifying a parent as required in Subsection (1); and
  • (b) producing and retaining a record that verifies that a parent was notified of an incident or threat as required in Subsection (2).

(4) At the request of a parent, a school may provide information and make recommendations related to an incident or threat described in Subsection (1).

(5) A school shall:

  • (a) provide a student a copy of a record maintained in accordance with this section that relates to the student if the student requests a copy of the record; and
  • (b) expunge a record maintained in accordance with this section that relates to a student if the student:
  • (i) has graduated from high school; and
  • (ii) requests the record be expunged.
Policy Type
Statute

Utah Code 53G-9-605. Bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, abusive conduct, and retaliation policy.

(1) On or before September 1, 2018, an LEA governing board shall update the LEA governing board’s bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, and retaliation policy to include abusive conduct.

(2) A policy shall:

  • (a) be developed only with input from:
  • (i) students;
  • (ii) parents;
  • (iii) teachers;
  • (iv) school administrators;
  • (v) school staff; or
  • (vi) local law enforcement agencies; and
  • (b) provide protection to a student, regardless of the student's legal status.

(3) A policy shall include the following components:

  • (a) definitions of bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, and abusive conduct that are consistent with this part;
  • (b) language prohibiting bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, and abusive conduct;
  • (c) language prohibiting retaliation against an individual who reports conduct that is prohibited under this part;
  • (d) language prohibiting making a false report of bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, abusive conduct, or retaliation;
  • (e) as required in Section 53G-9-604, parental notification of:
  • (i) a student's threat to commit suicide; and
  • (ii) an incident of bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, abusive conduct, or retaliation, involving the parent's student;
  • (f) a grievance process for a school employee who has experienced abusive conduct;
  • (g) an action plan to address a reported incident of bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, or retaliation; and
  • (h) a requirement for a signed statement annually, indicating that the individual signing the statement has received the LEA governing board's policy, from each:
  • (i) school employee;
  • (ii) student who is at least eight years old; and
  • (iii) parent of a student enrolled in the charter school or school district.
Policy Type
Statute

Utah Code 53G-9-606. Model policy and State Board of Education duties.

(1) On or before September 1, 2018, the state board shall:

  • (a) update the state board’s model policy on bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, and retaliation to include abusive conduct; and
  • (b) post the model policy described in Subsection (1)(a) on the state board’s website.

(2) The state board shall require a an LEA governing board to report annually to the state board on:

  • (a) the LEA governing board’s policy, including implementation of the signed statement requirement described in Subsection 53G-9-605(3);
  • (b) the LEA governing board’s training of school employees relating to bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, and retaliation described in Section 53G-9-607; and
  • (c) other information related to this part, as determined by the state board.
Policy Type
Statute

Utah Code 53G-9-607. Training, education, and prevention -- Standard.

(1)

  • (a) An LEA governing board shall include in the training of a school employee training regarding bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, abusive conduct, and retaliation that meets the Standard described in Subsection (4).
  • (b) An LEA governing board may offer voluntary training to parents and students regarding abusive conduct.

(2) To the extent that state or federal funding is available for this purpose, LEA governing boards are encouraged to implement programs or initiatives, in addition to the training described in Subsection (1), to provide for training and education regarding, and the prevention of, bullying, hazing, abusive conduct, and retaliation.

(3) The programs or initiatives described in Subsection (2) may involve:

  • (a) the establishment of a bullying task force; or
  • (b) the involvement of school employees, students, or law enforcement.

(4) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the state board shall make rules that establish Standard for high quality training related to bullying, cyber-bullying, hazing, abusive conduct, and retaliation.

Policy Type
Statute

Utah Code 76-5-107.5. Prohibition of “hazing” — Definitions — Penalties.

(1) A person is guilty of hazing if that person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly commits an act or causes another to commit an act that:

  • (a)
  • (i) endangers the mental or physical health or safety of another;
  • (ii) involves any brutality of a physical nature such as whipping, beating, branding, calisthenics, bruising, electric shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or exposure to the elements;
  • (iii) involves consumption of any food, alcoholic product, drug, or other substance or any other physical activity that endangers the mental or physical health and safety of an individual; or
  • (iv) involves any activity that would subject the individual to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, extended isolation from social contact, or conduct that subjects another to extreme embarrassment, shame, or humiliation; and
  • (b)
  • (i) is for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, holding office in, or as a condition for continued membership in any organization; or
  • (ii) if the actor knew that the victim is a member of or candidate for membership with a school team or school organization to which the actor belongs or did belong within the preceding two years.

(2) It is not a defense to prosecution of hazing that a person under 21, against whom the hazing was directed, consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity.

(3) An actor who hazes another is guilty of a:

  • (a) class B misdemeanor except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), (c), (d), or (e);
  • (b) class A misdemeanor if the act involves:
  • (i) the operation or other use of a motor vehicle;
  • (ii) the consumption of an alcoholic product as defined in Section 32B-1-102; or
  • (iii) the consumption of a drug or a substance as defined in Section 76-5-113;
  • (c) third degree felony if the act involves the use of a dangerous weapon as defined in Section 76-1-601;
  • (d) third degree felony if the hazing results in serious bodily injury to a person; or
  • (e) second degree felony if hazing under Subsection (3)(d) involves the use of a dangerous weapon as defined in Section 76-1-601.

(4) A person who in good faith reports or participates in reporting of an alleged hazing is not subject to any civil or criminal liability regarding the reporting.

(5)

  • (a) This section does not apply to military training or other official military activities.
  • (b) Military conduct is governed by Title 39, Chapter 6, Utah Code of Military Justice.

(6)

  • (a) A prosecution under this section does not bar a prosecution of the actor for:
  • (i) any other offense for which the actor may be liable as a party for conduct committed by the person hazed; or
  • (ii) any offense, caused in the course of the hazing, that the actor commits against the person who is hazed.
  • (b) Under Subsection (6)(a)(i) a person may be separately punished, both for the hazing offense and the conduct committed by the person hazed.
  • (c) Under Subsection (6)(a)(ii) a person may not be punished both for hazing and for the other offense, but shall be punished for the offense carrying the greater maximum penalty.
Policy Type
Statute