1. (1) As used in this section:

   1. (a) "Annual classroom response training" means a training for a school employee:

      1. (i) that is held at least once a year and is administered, at no cost to a school employee, by the individual identified by the county sheriff as described in Section 53-22-103; and

      2. (ii) where the school employee is trained:

         1. (A) on how to defend a classroom against active threats emphasizing the school employee's role in stationary defense; and
         2. (B) on the safe loading, unloading, storage, and carrying of firearms in a school setting.
   2. (b) "Bureau" means the Bureau of Criminal Identification created in Section 53-10-201.
   3. (c) "Local education agency" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53E-1-102.
   4. (d) "Program" means the Educator-Protector Program created under this section.
   5. (e) "School employee" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53-22-105.
2. (2) There is created the Educator-Protector Program to incentivize a school employee to responsibly secure or carry a firearm on the grounds of the school where the school employee is employed.

3. (3)

   1. (a) To participate in the program, a school employee shall:

      1. (i) have completed an annual classroom response training within six months before the day on which the school employee joins the program;
      2. (ii) have a valid concealed carry permit issued under Title 53, Chapter 5a, Part 3, Concealed Firearm Permits; and

      3. (iii) certify to the department that:

         1. (A) the school employee satisfies the requirements described in Subsections (3)(a)(i) and (3)(a)(ii); and
         2. (B) if applicable, intends to securely store or carry a firearm on the grounds of a school where the school employee is employed.

   2. (b) After joining the program, to retain the school employee's active status in the program, a school employee shall:

      1. (i) participate in annual classroom response training; and
      2. (ii) comply with any rules established by the department in accordance with Subsection (10).

4. (4)

   1. (a) The state security chief shall:

      1. (i) track each school employee that participates in the program by collecting a photograph, name, and contact information for each school employee;
      2. (ii) make the information described in Subsection (4)(a)(i) readily available to each law enforcement agency in the state; and
      3. (iii) provide reasonable reimbursement, using funds appropriated by the Legislature, to a county sheriff for providing a school employee with annual classroom response training.
   2. (b) The state security chief shall categorize the information described in Subsection (4)(a)(i) by school.

5. (5) A school employee participating in the program:

   1. (a) may store the school employee's firearm on the grounds of a school only if:

      1. (i) the firearm is stored in a biometric gun safe;
      2. (ii) the biometric gun safe is located in the school employee's classroom or office; and
      3. (iii) the school employee is physically present on the grounds of the school while the firearm is stored in the biometric gun safe; and
   2. (b) shall carry the school employee's firearm in a concealed manner unless during an active threat.
6. (6) This section does not prohibit an individual who has a valid concealed carry permit but is not participating in the program from carrying firearms on the grounds of a school as described in Subsection 76-11-205(4).

7. (7)

   1. (a) A school employee who has active status in the program is not liable for any civil damages or penalties if the school employee:

      1. (i) when carrying or storing a firearm:

         1. (A) is acting in good faith; and
         2. (B) is not grossly negligent; or
      2. (ii) threatens, draws, or otherwise uses a firearm reasonably believing the action to be necessary in compliance with Section 76-2-402.
   2. (b) A local education agency is not liable for civil damages or penalties resulting from a school employee who is participating in the program carrying, using, or storing a firearm at a school.
8. (8) A local education agency may not prevent a school employee from participating in the program under this section.

9. (9)

   1. (a) Any information or record created detailing a school employee's participation in the program is:

      1. (i) a private, controlled, or protected record under Title 63G, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act; and

      2. (ii) available only to:

         1. (A) the state security chief;
         2. (B) school guardians under Section 53-22-105 at the same school;
         3. (C) a local law enforcement agency that would respond to the school in case of an emergency; and
         4. (D) the individual identified by the county sheriff as described in Section 53-22-103.
   2. (b) The information or record described in Subsection (9)(a) includes the information described in Subsection (4)(a)(i) and any personal identifying information of a school employee participating in the program collected or obtained during annual classroom response training.
   3. (c) An individual who intentionally or knowingly provides the information described in Subsection (9)(a) to an individual or entity not listed in Subsection (9)(a)(ii) is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
10. (10) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the department may adopt rules to administer this section.

Amended by Chapter 170, 2026 General Session