Bill > HB0044

This bill amends several sections of Utah law to enhance school security and safety standards, primarily by clarifying responsibilities and training requirements for school safety personnel and updating protocols for managing visitors and cybersecurity. Key provisions include allowing "special function officers," who are sworn peace officers performing specialized duties, to respond to observed situations for public safety until law enforcement arrives, even if off-duty. It also modifies the responsibilities of county security chiefs to include administering or coordinating training for school safety personnel and allows them to deny individuals based on capability. The bill refines the "school guardian program," detailing training requirements, firearm storage, and use of force protocols, and also updates the "Educator-Protector Program" to include "school employees" rather than just "teachers." Furthermore, it introduces new requirements for school visitor management, mandating controlled access points, visitor sign-in/sign-out procedures, and clear signage, and establishes cybersecurity standards for local education agencies (LEAs), including data breach reporting and coordination with the Utah Cyber Center. Finally, the bill clarifies that school safety needs assessments will now include an evaluation of visitor management protocols.