Administrative Letters

Washington County School District Policy Approved and Sanctioned by the Board of Education.

A173 - Implementation of HB 104 – Firearm Safety in Schools Amendments

MAIL SAVE PRINT

 Date: April 28, 2025

To: All Principals and School Administrators

Regarding: Implementation of HB 104 – Firearm Safety in Schools Amendments

Background:
During the 2025 Utah Legislative Session, the Legislature passed House Bill 104 (Firearm Safety in Schools Amendments), sponsored by Representative Rex Shipp and Senator Ronald Winterton. This legislation requires Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to provide developmentally appropriate firearm safety instruction to students in grades K–12.

District Action Required:
Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, schools shall comply with the following requirements:

Elementary Schools (Grades K–6):

• Provide firearm safety instruction at least three times during a student’s elementary years.
  
  
• Recommendation: Provide training in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade to ensure students receive consistent and age-appropriate instruction over consecutive years.
  
  

Middle and High Schools:

• Provide firearm safety instruction at least twice during a student’s secondary education (once in middle school and once in high school).
  
  
• Recommendation: Provide training in 7th and 10th grade within the required health class to ensure alignment with existing curriculum structure and consistent delivery.
  
  

Instructional Methods:
Firearm safety curricula developed by the Utah Attorney General’s Office.

• For reference, see the 5 minute firearm safety video from the Utah Attorney General's Office. 
  
  

Instructional Content:

• The curriculum must focus on best practices and guidelines for the safe handling and storage of firearms to prevent accidents and ensure personal safety.
  
  
• All instruction must remain politically neutral and free from political advocacy or bias.
  
  

Parental Notification and Opt-Out:

• Prior to providing instruction, schools must notify parents or guardians with details about the firearm safety instruction and explain how they may opt their student out.
  
  
• Students whose parents opt them out must be provided an alternative educational activity.