Utah Admin. Code R277-322-3 - Required Code of Conduct Policy

(1) The Superintendent shall create a model code of conduct or appropriate behavior policy.

(2) Each LEA shall adopt a code of conduct or appropriate behavior policy applicable to the LEA's staff.

(3) An LEA's code of conduct or appropriate behavior policy, adopted pursuant to Subsection (2), may not be less stringent than the model code of conduct or appropriate behavior policy described in Subsection (1) and shall include, at a minimum:

(a) a statement that a staff member shall avoid boundary violations, as defined in Rule R277-210, with students;

(b) a statement that a staff member may not subject a student to:

(i) physical abuse;

(ii) verbal abuse;

(iii) sexual abuse; or

(iv) mental abuse;

(c) a statement that a staff member shall report any suspected incidents of:

(i) physical abuse;

(ii) verbal abuse;

(iii) sexual abuse;

(iv) mental abuse; or

(v) neglect;

(d) a statement that a staff member may not touch a student in a way that makes a reasonably objective student feel uncomfortable;

(e) a statement that a staff member may not participate in sexual conduct with a student;

(f) a statement regarding appropriate verbal or electronic communication between a staff member and a student;

(g) a statement regarding providing gifts, special favors, or preferential treatment to a student or group of students;

(h) a statement that a staff member may not discriminate against a student on the basis of the student's personal identity characteristics;

(i) a statement regarding appropriate use of electronic devices and social media for communication between a staff member and a student;

(j) a statement regarding use of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal substances during work hours and on school property;

(k) a statement that a staff member shall:

(i) report any suspicion of child abuse or bullying to the proper authorities;

(ii) annually read and sign all policies related to identifying, documenting, and reporting child abuse; and

(iii) for an employee or contractor, annually attend abuse prevention training required in Section 53G-9-207; and

(4) An LEA shall post the LEA's code of conduct or appropriate behavior policy adopted pursuant to Subsection (2) on the LEA's website.

(5) An LEA shall annually provide training to staff regarding the policy, including the staff member's responsibility to report and how to report:

(a) known violations of the LEA's code of conduct or appropriate behavior policy; and

(b) known violations of the Utah Educator Standards contained in Rule R277-217.

(6) A staff member shall annually sign a statement acknowledging that the staff member has read and understands the code of conduct or appropriate behavior policy.

Notes

Utah Admin. Code R277-322-3

Adopted by Utah State Bulletin Number 2019-18, effective 8/19/2019 Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2024-16, effective 8/7/2024