§ 53G-8-702 — School administrator and school resource officer training -- Curriculum.

(1) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the state security chief appointed under Section 53-22-102 in consultation with the state board, shall make rules that prepare and make available an annual program for school principals, school personnel, school safety personnel described in Section 53G-8-701.5, and school resource officers to attend.
(2) To create the curriculum and materials for the training program described in Subsection (1), the state security chief, in consultation with the School Safety Center, shall:
(2)(a) work in conjunction with the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice created in Section 63M-7-201;
(2)(b) solicit input from local school boards, charter school governing boards, and the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind;
(2)(c) consult with a nationally recognized organization that provides resources and training for school resource officers;
(2)(d) solicit input from local law enforcement and other interested community stakeholders; and
(2)(e) consider the current United States Department of Education recommendations on school discipline and the role of a school resource officer.
(3) The training program described in Subsection (1) shall be for a minimum time established by the state security chief in accordance with Subsection (1) and may include training on the following:
(3)(a) childhood and adolescent development;
(3)(b) responding age-appropriately to students;
(3)(c) working with disabled students;
(3)(d) techniques to de-escalate and resolve conflict;
(3)(e) cultural awareness;
(3)(f) restorative justice practices;
(3)(g) identifying a student exposed to violence or trauma and referring the student to appropriate resources;
(3)(h) student privacy rights;
(3)(i) negative consequences associated with youth involvement in the juvenile and criminal justice systems;
(3)(j) strategies to reduce juvenile justice involvement;
(3)(k) roles of and distinctions between a school resource officer and other school staff who help keep a school secure;
(3)(l) the standard response protocol and drills described in Section 53G-8-803;
(3)(m) an overview of the agreement described in Section 53G-8-703;
(3)(n) developing and supporting successful relationships with students; and
(3)(o) legal parameters of searching and questioning students on school property.
(4) The School Safety Center shall work together with the Department of Public Safety, the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, and state and local law enforcement to establish policies, procedures, and training requirements for school resource officers.

Legislative History

Amended by Chapter 21, 2024 General Session