Glossary of Terms found in the Incident & Offense Reporting Form

Note: if a definition includes a citation to the Utah Code (UCA), the codes expanded definition is incorporated here by reference.

Incident Data Definitions

Incident -- One or more acts of prohibited behavior committed by an individual or group of individuals acting in concert, at the same time and place.
It may involve one or more victims and one or more offenders. For reporting purposes, an incident of prohibited behavior is the single most serious
act that occurs in a given overall incident. Incidents (ordered from most serious to least serious) include the following: criminal homicide;
aggravated assault; rape; aggravated sexual assault; forcible sexual abuse; aggravated sexual abuse of a child; robbery; burglary; theft; kidnapping;
arson; threat/intimidation; distribution, use or possession of drugs (other than alcohol and tobacco); sex offenses (non-forcible); criminal mischief
(vandalism); bullying; weapon or dangerous material possession; alcohol (liquor law) violations; tobacco violations; trespassing; fighting; disorderly
conduct; as well as other major offenses; and other state (district or municipal) defined offenses. If you are using the RISEP system, please log all
offenses and the RISEP reporting program will assign the appropriate priority order to the offense(s).

Bullying Incidents Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength. A student is being
bullied or victimized when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more students.
Four types of bullying are identified by the USDE:
1. Physical bullying -- hitting and/or punching,
2. Verbal bullying -- teasing or name-calling,
3. Non-verbal or emotional bullying -- this includes intimidation through gestures, social exclusion and relational aggression,
4. Cyber bullying -- sending insulting messages by phone or computer, or electronic messaging

Offender / Victim Data Definitions

Offender and Victim Counts

Offender -- A person who commits an offense. There may be more than one offender involved in any single incident.
Victim A person who is harmed or suffers loss due to the act of an offender.
Offender / Victim Information
Status There are five categories of offender status: drivers, school-based law enforcement officers and school
Student at this school -- An individual who is enrolled as a volunteers such as room parents.
student in the school reporting the incident at the time the Other An individual who is known but does not fit one of
incident occurred. the categories above.
Student in this district -- An individual who is enrolled as a Unknown An individual whose status is unknown
student in the district reporting the incident (but not in the
school) at the time the incident occurred. Race/Ethnicity This field allows for only a single selection. The
School Employee An individual who is who is a paid main reason for this is that certain federal reports (i.e., OSEP data
employee or volunteer in a school. Includes teachers, tables) require aggregating on this field.
administrators, support staff, maintenance worker, school-bus

Details of Offense Definitions

Injury

Serious Bodily Injury This field is required for incidents involving
students receiving special education services and is used in
generating OSEP special education data tables. The definition is: A
bodily injury that involves a substantial risk of death; extreme
physical pain; protracted and obvious disfigurement; or protracted
loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ or
faculty (18 U.S.C. Section 1365(3)(h)).
Physical Injury This field is required for violent incidents and is
used in generating the Utah Consolidated State Performance Report.
The definition as defined by the USOE is: Damage to bodily tissue
(at the school or school activity where the violation occurred) that
includes: Skin bruising, dislocation, physical pain, impairment of
physical function, bleeding, burn, bone fracture, soft tissue swelling,
injury to an internal organ or any physical condition that imperils the
health/welfare of a student.

Assault Violations

Aggravated Assault An attempt or intentional act committed with
unlawful force or violence involving the use or threatened use of a
weapon or resulting in serious bodily injury to another. Report
attempted Criminal Homicide as Aggravated Assault. (UCA 76-5-
103)
Examples of serious bodily injury are apparent broken bones, loss of
teeth, possible internal injury, severe laceration (i.e., one where
medical attention was provided) or loss of consciousness as a direct
result of force inflicted.
Rape The offender attempts to have or has sexual intercourse with
another person without the victims consent* whether or not the
offender is married to the victim including sexual intercourse with a
child who is under the age of 14. It also includes object rape in
which an offender who, without the victims consent, causes the
penetration, however slight, of the genital or anal opening of another
person by any foreign object, substances, instrument, or device, not
including a part of the human body, with intent to cause substantial
emotional or bodily pain to the victim or with the intent to arouse or
gratify the sexual desire of any person who is 14 years of age or

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older. Object rape of a child includes object rape or touching
however slight, of the genital or anal opening of a child who is under
the age of 14. (UCA 76-5-402)
*Without the victims consent means the following:
(1) the victim expresses lack of consent through words or conduct;
(2) the actor [offender] overcomes the victim through the actual
application of physical force or violence;
(3) the actor is able to overcome the victim through concealment or
by the element of surprise;
(4) the actor coerces the victim to submit by threatening to retaliate
(including but not limited to physical force, kidnapping, or extortion)
in the future against the victim or any other person, and the victim
perceives or believes at the time that the actor has the ability to
execute this threat;
(5) the victim has not consented and the actor knows the victim is
unconscious, unaware that the act is occurring, or physically unable
to resist;
(6) the actor knows that as a result of mental disease or defect, the
victim is at the time of the act incapable either of appraising the
nature of the act or of resisting it;
(7) the actor knows that the victim submits or participates because the
victim erroneously believes that the actor is the victim's spouse;
(8) the actor intentionally impaired the power of the victim to
appraise or control his or her conduct by administering any substance
without the victim's knowledge;
(9) the victim is younger than 14 years of age;
(10) the victim is younger than 18 years of age and at the time of the
offense the actor was the victim's parent, stepparent, adoptive parent,
or legal guardian or occupied a position of special trust in relation to
the victim;
(11) the victim is 14 years of age or older, but younger than 18 years
of age, and the actor is more than three years older than the victim
and entices or coerces the victim to submit or participate, under
circumstances not amounting to the force or threat or
(12) the actor is a health professional or religious counselor. The act
is committed under the guise of providing professional diagnosis,
counseling, or treatment, and at the time of the act the victim
reasonably believed that the act was for medically or professionally
appropriate diagnosis, counseling, or treatment to the extent that
resistance by the victim could not reasonably be expected to have
been manifested. (UCA 76-5-406)
Aggravated Sexual Assault - An attempted or intentional act
committed with unlawful force or violence involving the use or
threatened use of a weapon or resulting in serious bodily injury to
another, while in the course of rape or attempted rape, object rape or
attempted object rape, forcible sodomy, or forcible sexual abuse or
attempted forcible sexual abuse. It also includes an offender who
compels or attempts to compel the victim to submit to a rape or
attempted rape, object rape or attempted object rape, forcible
sodomy, or forcible sexual abuse or attempted forcible sexual abuse.
The offender may be aided or abetted by one or more persons. (UCA
76-5-405)
Forcible Sexual Abuse An offender commits forcible sexual abuse
if the victim is 14 years of age or older and, under circumstances not
amounting to rape, object rape, sodomy, or attempted rape or
sodomy, the offender attempts to or touches the anus, buttocks, or
any part of the genitals of another, or touches the breast of a female,
or otherwise takes indecent liberties with another, or causes another
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to take indecent liberties with the offender or another, with intent to
cause substantial emotional or bodily pain to any person or with the
intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person, without the
consent of the other, regardless of the sex of any participant. (UCA
76-5-404)
Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child An offender attempts to or
commits sexual abuse of a child (a person under the age of 14) if,
under circumstances not amounting to rape of a child, object rape of a
child, sodomy upon a child, or an attempt to commit any of these
offenses, the actor touches the anus, buttocks, or genitalia of any
child, the breast of a female child, or otherwise takes indecent
liberties with a child, or causes a child to take indecent liberties with
the actor or another with intent to cause substantial emotional or
bodily pain to any person or with the intent to arouse or gratify the
sexual desire of any person regardless of the sex of any participant.
A person commits aggravated sexual abuse of a child when in
conjunction with the offense described above any of the following
circumstances have been charged and admitted or found true in the
action for the offense: (a) the offense was committed by the use of a
dangerous weapon as defined in Section 76-1-601(5), or by force,
duress, violence, intimidation, coercion, menace, or threat of harm, or
was committed during the course of a kidnapping; (b) the accused
caused bodily injury or severe psychological injury to the victim
during or as a result of the offense; (c) the accused was a stranger to
the victim or made friends with the victim for the purpose of
committing the offense; (d) the accused used, showed, or displayed
pornography or caused the victim to be photographed in a lewd
condition during the course of the offense; (e) the accused, prior to
sentencing for this offense, was previously convicted of any felony,
or of a misdemeanor involving a sexual offense; (f) the accused
committed the same or similar sexual act upon two or more victims at
the same time or during the same course of conduct; (g) the accused
committed, in Utah or elsewhere, more than five separate acts, which
if committed in Utah would constitute an offense described in this
chapter, and were committed at the same time, or during the same
course of conduct, or before or after the instant offense; (h) the
offense was committed by a person who occupied a position of
special trust in relation to the victim; "position of special trust" means
that position occupied by a person in a position of authority, who, by
reason of that position is able to exercise undue influence over the
victim, and includes, but is not limited to, a youth leader or
recreational leader who is an adult, adult athletic manager, adult
coach, teacher, counselor, religious leader, doctor, employer, foster
parent, baby-sitter, adult scout leader, natural parent, stepparent,
adoptive parent, legal guardian, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or adult
cohabitant of a parent; (i) the accused encouraged, aided, allowed, or
benefited from acts of prostitution or sexual acts by the victim with
any other person, or sexual performance by the victim before any
other person; or (j) the accused caused the penetration, however
slight, of the genital or anal opening of the child by any part or parts
of the human body other than the genitals or mouth. (UCA 76-5-404)
A sexual offense is non-forcible if the persons involved consent to
the act and both the offender and the victim are minors. (See also:
Sexual Offenses Non Forcible in Other Offenses section).
Simple Assault -- An intentional act to do bodily injury to another
committed with unlawful force or violence which does not rise to the
level of an aggravated assault and which does not involve sexual acts.
(UCA 76-5-102)
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 Alcohol / Drug Violations
Types of Violations:
Distribution The actual, constructive, or attempted sale, transfer, delivery, or dispensing of a prohibited substance or object to another
person.
Possession / Use -- Joint or individual ownership, control, holding, inhalation, injection, or consumption of a prohibited substance or object
[ 58-37-2(1)(dd)].
Resorting -- Being in the company of one or more persons who are engaged in prohibited behavior.
Alcohol/Drug Offenses
Alcohol -- Any product containing at least .0063% alcohol by
volume or .005% alcohol by weight.
Examples include beer, wine, and spirits (vodka, gins, whiskey, rum,
cordials, etc.).
Tobacco -- A product containing tobacco in any form.
Tobacco products include cigars; smoking tobacco, including
granulated, plug-cut, crimp-cut, ready-rubbed, and any form of
tobacco suitable for smoking in a pipe or as a cigarette; chewing
tobacco, including Cavendish, Twist, plug, scrap, and any kind of
tobacco used for chewing; and snuff or other preparations of
pulverized tobacco.
Marijuana -- Any part of a plant belonging to the genus cannabis,
including extracts, the resin, and synthetic equivalents [ 58-37-
2(1)(v), UCA].
Some of the many slang terms include pot, herb, weed, boom, Mary
Jane, gangster, or chronic. Hashish is a stronger form.
Controlled Substance A drug or other substance regulated by the
Controlled Substances Act [Title 58, chapter 37, UCA].
Examples include methamphetamine, LSD, designer drugs,
phencyclidine (PCP), heroin, etc.
Also included in this category is the unauthorized possession or use
of a prescription drug such as amphetamines, barbiturates, Valium,
codeine, and Ritalin.
Other Offenses
Arson -- To unlawfully and intentionally cause damage to property
by means of fire or explosives. (UCA 76-6-102)
Bullying as per LEA Policy A violation of the LEA policy on
bullying (new in 2006-2007). For more on bullying see the
Incident and Offender / Victim Data Definitions Bullying incidents
discussion above.
Burglary -- To unlawfully enter or remain in a building with the
intent to commit a felony, theft, or assault. (UCA76-6-202)
Criminal Homicide (formerly Homicide) -- Causing the death of
another. A offender commits criminal homicide if he intentionally,
knowingly, recklessly, with criminal negligence, or acting with a
mental state otherwise specified in the statute defining the offense,
causes the death of another human being. Criminal homicide is
aggravated murder, murder, manslaughter, child abuse homicide,
homicide by assault, negligent homicide, or automobile homicide.
Report attempted Criminal Homicide as Aggravated Assault.
(UCA76-5-201)
Criminal Trespass (formerly Trespassing / Loitering) -- To enter
or remain unlawfully on property and intending to cause annoyance
or injury or intending to commit any crime, other than theft or a
4/28/2009 Utah State Office of Education
Uncontrolled Substance (Over-the-Counter, Inhalants, Look-
alikes) A substance which can be legally purchased without
prescription, if its manner of use or apparent intended use is for a
purpose other than that intended by the manufacturer.
Examples include over-the-counter (non-prescription) and mail order
(look-alike) drugs such as cold medicines, cough syrup, diet pills,
sleeping pills, NoDoz, and nicotine patches.
Also included in this category are common substances abused as
inhalants including hair spray, gasoline, butane, rubber cement, glue,
furniture polish, air fresheners, spray paint, liquid correction fluid,
inhalers, breath spray, felt tip markers, propane gas, cleaning fluids,
tape head cleaners, aerosol whipped cream propellants, vegetable
sprays, paint-thinners, degreasers, and art or office supply solvents.
Drug Paraphernalia -- Any item used or intended for use in the
creation, distribution, or use of a controlled substance [Title 58,
Chapter 37a, UCA], e.g. syringes, bongs, roach clips, pipes, water
pipes, clips, spoons, needles, etc.
Other Drug Alcohol / Drug offenses that do not fit in any of the
current categories. For example, the possession of any substance that
substantially resembles or is meant to represent any illegal drug or
unauthorized substance.
Unknown Drug-- A person who appears to be under the influence of
a psychoactive substance but the substance is unknown.
felony or is reckless as to whether his presence will cause fear for the
safety of another; or knowing his entry or presence is unlawful, he
enters or remains on property as to which notice is given. (UCA 76-
6-206)
Dangerous Material -- Any material that in its manner of use or
intended use presents an unreasonable risk of substantial harm to
persons or property.
Materials or devices which are intended to be used as weapons
should be coded under Weapons Violation Other Weapon, Firearm
or Explosive Device.
Examples include:
Explosive materials or blasting agents such as fireworks, black
powder, etc.
Incendiary materials such as gasoline, butane, or other
flammable substances.
Rocket-propelled projectiles such as model rockets or bottle
rockets.
Chemically reactive substances such as sulfuric acid, or
potentially harmful household or commercial products such as
pesticides and caustic cleaning agents
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 Dangerous biological or biochemical organisms, agents, or
products such as snakes, nerve gas, pepper spray, etc.
Dangerous common mechanisms (i.e., a bear trap) or common
articles configured in potentially dangerous ways (i.e.,
containers under extremely high pressure).
Any device which discharges chemical irritant or tear gas,
including smoke grenades.
Disorderly Conduct -- Conduct which the offender knows or
reasonably should know may, without good cause, result in
unreasonable inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm. (UCA76-9-102)
Examples include serious instances of classroom or campus
disruption, such as pulling the fire alarm, defiance of authority,
disobeying or showing disrespect to others, using obscene or
inappropriate language or gestures, dress code violations, and
disruptive demonstrations.
Kidnapping -- To unlawfully, and against the will of the victim,
restrain or detain a person for a substantial period or under
circumstances exposing the person to a substantial risk of injury. In
the case of a minor, against the will includes an act undertaken
without the consent of the minors parent or guardian. [UCA76-5-
301]
Theft (formerly Larceny/Theft) -- To obtain or exercise
unauthorized control over property with the intent to deprive the
lawful owner or possessor of possession or use. (UCA 76-6-404)
Actual or Attempted Robbery -- To attempt or unlawfully and
intentionally take personal property in the possession of another from
his person, or immediate presence, against that persons will, by
means of force or fear in the course of committing a theft,
commissioning of a theft, or the immediate flight after the attempt or
commission of a theft (UCA 76-6-301)
Sexual Offenses, Non-forcible Any act undertaken with the intent
to arouse or gratify the sexual desire or offend the sensibilities of any
person, involving: (a) the touching, whether through clothing or not,
of anothers genitals, buttocks, or anus, or the breast of a female,; (b)
exposure of ones own or anothers underclothing, genitals, buttocks,
or female breast; (c) sexual comments, gestures, actions or writings
which the offender knows or reasonably should know are offensive
and inappropriate; (d) display of lewd or indecent pictures or
writings. A sexual offense involving an act described here, is non-
forcible if the persons involved consent to the act and both the
Weapons Violations
Types and Weapons and Types of Violations -- For each category
of Weapons Violation indicated (i.e., Handgun, Rifle/Shotgun, Knife
/Sharpened Edge, etc.), select the Type of Weapon (Real or Look-
Alike) and Type of Violation (Used, Threatened Use, Possession).
Note: Several of the Assault Violations (Aggravated Assault,
Aggravated Sexual Assault, and Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a
Child) as well as most of the Other Offenses (Arson, Burglary,
Actual/Attempted Robbery, Threat/Intimidation, Dangerous Material,
Criminal Homicide, Kidnapping, Terroristic Threat, and Criminal
Mischief) may involve the use or threatened use of a weapon. If so,
please mark both of these offenses. Use or threatened use of a
weapon will rarely occur in isolation. However, possession of a
weapon may occur in isolation.
Type of Weapon Select either Real or Look-Alike. If both a
real and look-alike weapon are possessed (i.e., real handgun and
look alike handgun), select Real.
Real A weapon capable of performing the action implied
by its category (i.e., A handgun capable of firing a
4/28/2009 Utah State Office of Education
offender and the victim are minors. See definition of consent in
Assault Violations section.
A sexual offense is forcible if the victim is a minor and the offender
is an adult and should be coded as Sexual Assault (See Assault
section).
Examples include: verbal comments (about parts of the body,
clothing, etc.), sexual or dirty jokes, the display of offensive or sexual
comics or pictures, leering, pinching, indecent exposure, using school
computers to leave sexual messages or other inappropriate usage
related to any of the above.
Terroristic Threat -- A threat to engage in an action posing a
substantial risk of significant injury or harm to persons or property,
e.g. a threat involving a real or purported bomb, arson attack, or
deadly or incapacitating substance. (UCA 76-5-107)
Threat / Intimidation -- to express an intent, through word or action,
to inflict harm upon another person or another persons property.
Examples include stalking or threats to beat someone up. For threats
involving bombs or arson, see Terroristic Threat.
Truancy -- Unauthorized absence from an assigned class or activity
during school hours. For reporting purposes, include any truancy
where parents are notified in writing or any other administrative
action is taken.
Criminal Mischief (formerly Vandalism / Property Damage) -- To
damage or destroy property with the intention of defrauding an
insurer, intentionally tampering with anothers property and as a
result endangers human life, health or safety or recklessly causes or
threaten communication, banking, transportation, utility, healthcare
or emergency response facilities, food services, or other government
operations; or intentionally damages or defaces anothers property or
willfully shoots a missile or object at a vehicle moving or standing.
(UCA 76-6-106)
Examples include: graffiti, destroying school computer records,
carving initials or words in desk tops, spray painting on walls, or
throwing items at school buses or other vehicles.
Other (or Not Classified) -- Violations that do not fit into the current
offense categories. For example: violation of school rules against
carrying a beeper or pager.
projectile with deadly force or a Knife or Sharpened
Edge capable of cutting.).
Look-Alike object, device or instrument having or made
to have the appearance of a weapon. Examples include
weapons that are broken or non-functional, toy guns and
knives, devices made to look like bombs, and any object
that is a non-functioning facsimile of a real weapon.
Type of Violation Select one of the following (ordered from
most to least severe): Used, Threatened Use, or Possession. If
two apply, select the more severe violation to report.
Used The weapon was employed (i.e., a handgun was
fired, a stabbing or attempted stabbing took place, an
explosive device was detonated, etc.).
Threatened The weapon (or look alike) was brandished
or its presence made known and an intention to use was
indicated.
Possession -- Having real or look alike weapons on their
person, in their locker, under their control, or in their
custody.
Page 4

Categories of Weapons There are five categories of weapons in
the system: Handgun; Rifle/Shotgun; BB/Pellet Gun;
Knife/Sharpened Edge; and Other Weapon, Firearm or Explosive
Device.
Handgun -- A firearm having a short stock designed to be held and
fired by the use of a single hand and easily concealed upon the
person.
Examples include pistols, derringers, and revolvers.
Rifle -- A weapon intended to be fired from the shoulder and to use
the energy of the explosive in a fixed metallic cartridge to fire a
projectile through a rifled bore.
Shotgun -- A weapon intended to be fired from the shoulder and to
use the energy of the explosive in a shotgun shell to fire either a
number of ball shot or a single slug through a smooth bore.
BB or Pellet Gun -- Weapons where a small BB, pellet, or other
projectile (usually 18 caliber or less) is fired through the use of a
powerful spring or compressed gas mechanism.
Knife / Sharpened Edge -- Any object with a sharpened edge such
as a knife, bayonet, razor blade, machete, sword, etc. Objects with
sharpened points such as scissors, darts, spikes, nails, and pencils are
other weapons
Other Weapon, Firearm or Explosive Device All other weapons.
All objects, devices, instruments, materials, or substances, whether
animate or inanimate, used or intended to be used to inflict death or
serious bodily injury that do not fit in the previous categories.
Examples include:
Explosive or incendiary devices, rockets, missiles, etc.
Dangerous materials intended to be used or actually used to
inflict harm on or intimidate any person. For examples, see the
Dangerous Material definition.
Objects used as weapons pencils, broken bottles or glass,
chains, rocks, clubs, tire irons, darts, nails, rope, automobile, etc.
Unconventional weapons spear gun, dart gun, sling shot, bow
and arrow, cross bow, spear, martial arts weapons (nunchakus,
throwing stars, etc.), electrical weapons or devices (stun guns,
zip guns, etc.), blow guns, tear gas, pepper spray, etc.
Some of this category may be considered as firearms under the Gun-
Free Schools Act. See below for more information.
Note: When selecting this category, be sure to fill in the field
describing this weapon.
Is this a Gun-Free Schools Act Weapon Violation? Each year,
Utah must report data on Gun-Free Schools Act (GFSA) weapons
violations. This question will help us do a better job creating that
report from the incident data.
Each time a weapons violation is entered, the question must be
answered: Is this a GFSA weapon violation? For real handguns,
rifles, and shotguns, the answer is yes. For other weapon violations,
the answer is more complicated.
In order to answer this question, the LEA must determine if the
weapon fits the federal definition of a firearm. The GFSA references
the federal definition for firearm as defined in Section 921 of Title 18
of the United States Code. The applicable section of this code is:
4/28/2009 Utah State Office of Education
(3) The term firearm means
(A) any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed
to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of
an explosive;
(B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon;
(C) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or
(D) any destructive device. Such term does not include an antique
firearm.
(4) The term destructive device means
(A) any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas
(i) bomb,
(ii) grenade,
(iii) rocket having a propellant charge of more than four
ounces,
(iv) missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of
more than one-quarter ounce,
(v) mine, or
(vi) device similar to any of the devices described in the
preceding clauses;
(B) any type of weapon (other than a shotgun or a shotgun shell
which the Attorney General finds is generally recognized as
particularly suitable for sporting purposes) by whatever name
known which will, or which may be readily converted to, expel a
projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, and
which has any barrel with a bore of more than one-half inch in
diameter; and
(C) any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in
converting any device into any destructive device described in
subparagraph (A) or (B) and from which a destructive device may
be readily assembled.
Clarifications of this definition from the federal report indicates that
this definition does not apply to items such as toy guns, cap guns, bb
guns, and pellet guns.
Also, from Guidance Concerning State and Local Responsibilities
Under the Gun-Free Schools Act,:
The Secretary interprets the GFSA to allow local school districts to
permit firearms at school when students are participating in school-
sponsored or authorized activities that involve firearms. Similarly, based
on the legislative history, the Secretary interprets the GFSA not to forbid
school districts from allowing firearms at school when students intend to
use firearms solely for before or after school hunting purposes,
providing the school district's determination to permit firearms is made
and disseminated in advance, as part of LEA policy, and is consistent
with the intent and purposes of the GFSA to prevent violence and create
an environment conducive to learning. For example, if a local school
district approves an extracurricular program such as a rifle club, or
allows students to bring firearms solely for before or after school
hunting, the activities would not violate the GFSA if the school district:
determines that the activity is consistent with the intent and
purposes of the GFSA; and
provides notice as part of its Gun-Free Schools policy that
the activities are approved and authorized; and
adopts appropriate safeguards to ensure student safety.
If any firearms are to be allowed for these limited purposes, local school
districts are cautioned to consider all applicable local, State, and Federal
laws pertaining to the possession of firearms. In particular, school
districts should be aware that Federal and some State laws prohibiting
juveniles from possessing handguns may be applicable. School districts
that permit students to bring firearms to school for these limited
purposes must adopt appropriate safeguards to ensure student safety,
consistent with the purposes of the GFSA.
This document also adds additional clarifications:
Antique firearms are not included in the definition.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms has advised
that Class-C common fireworks are not included in the
definition of weapon.
The definition of firearm does not include knives.
Page 5
 Action(s) Taken

Actions Taken This section is used to indicate the administrative actions taken for the offender. They are broken out by immediate actions (actions
taken immediately following the incident) and long-term actions (actions taken as a result of a hearing or administrative process)

Some actions require that the number of days be entered. In all cases, this is the number of school days. So rather than placing a student in an alternative
placement for one year, the number of days would by 180.

Parent Notified The notification of a parent or guardian either in

person, by phone, or in writing. Alternative Placement placement of a student into an educational
program located outside of the students regular school. Examples include
Suspension Suspension may be immediate and/or long term. alternative education classroom (AEC) or alternative schools.

Note: If the offender is suspended both immediately and long-term, be
certain that the days indicated for the long-term suspension are those that
are in addition to the short term suspension, i.e., the total of immediate
days and long-term days should equal the total number of days
suspended.
In-School Suspension (ISS) The assignment of a student to a
restrictive program within the students regular school based upon
the students misbehavior.
Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) Prohibiting school attendance
for fewer than ten consecutive school days. For OSS, you must
select if the student is suspended with or without services.
Expelled Expulsion refers to the removal of the student from his or her
school of residence (including alternative placement) with or without
services for ten or more consecutive school days. The expulsion period
used for determining whether a school is persistently dangerous is at least
60 consecutive school days.
Referred to Law Enforcement Under circumstances amounting to an
incident of illegal behavior, a referral should be made to local law
enforcement. If you have information about the department (homicide,
drug, truancy), officer or case number, please include it on the incident and
offense reporting form.
Referred to a Program If the student is referred to a specific program such
as Youth in Custody or a District Youth Offenders program, please indicate
the name of the program.
Hearing Officer Removal This action usually pertains to students with
disabilities. A hearing officer can order a change of placement for a
student with a disability to an appropriate interim alternative educational
setting for not more than forty-five (45) calendar days if the hearing
officer, in an expedited due process hearing: (a) determines that the school
or district has demonstrated by substantial evidence that maintaining the
current placement of the student is substantially likely to result in injury to
the student or to others, (b) considers the appropriateness of the students
current placement, (c) considers whether the school or district has made
reasonable efforts to minimize the risk of harm in the students current
placement, including the use of supplementary aids and services, or (d)
determines that the interim alternative educational setting that is proposed
by school personnel who have consulted with the students special
education teacher was selected so as to enable the student to continue to
progress in the general curriculum and to continue to receive those services
and modifications including those described in the students current
Individualized Education Plan (IEP), that will enable the student to meet
the goals set out in that IEP. The interim alternative educational setting
must also include services and modifications designed to address the
behavior to prevent the behavior from recurring. (Utah Special Education
Rules, p.92-93).
Other Actions, immediate or long term, that do not fit in one of the
current categories. For example: Transportation suspension, a contract,
community service, restitution, etc. If the action is for a period of time,
enter the number of school days.

4/28/2009 Utah State Office of Education Page 6