(1) The
Superintendent shall create a model code of conduct/appropriate behavior
policy.
(2) Each LEA shall adopt a
code of conduct/appropriate behavior policy applicable to the LEA's
staff.
(3) An LEA's code of
conduct/appropriate behavior policy, adopted pursuant to Subsection (2), may
not be less stringent than the model code of conduct/appropriate behavior
policy described in Subsection (1) and shall include, at a minimum:
(a) a statement that a staff member should
avoid boundary violations, as defined in Rule R277-515, 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 shall not discriminate against a student on the basis of sex,
race, religion, or any other prohibited class;
(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 is required to:
(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
(3) An LEA shall post the LEA's code of
conduct/appropriate behavior policy adopted pursuant to Subsection (2) on the
LEA's website.
(4) 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/appropriate behavior policy; and
(b) known violations of the Utah Educator
Standards contained in R277-515.
(5) A staff member shall annually sign a
statement acknowledging that the staff member has read and understands the code
of conduct/appropriate behavior policy.
