Bill to fight gangs through schools

SALT LAKE CITY — Boards of public and charter schools in Utah would have to establish anti-gang policies under a bill passed by the Legislature.

The House approved Senate Bill 59 45-23 on Wednesday, sending it to Gov. Gary Herbert.

The bill seeks to protect at-risk students who may be pressured into joining gangs.

House sponsor Rep. Paul Ray, a Clearfield Republican, says the proposal gives schools muscle to shut down gang activity before it becomes entrenched.

While it leaves the specifics of the rule-making up to school boards, the bill does lay out possible restrictions.

These include bans on wearing gang apparel and marking up books with gang symbols or slogans.

Some lawmakers complained the word “gang” is too broad and could apply to a number of groups.