Utah House approves school‑based gang prevention program and statewide suppression funding

The Utah House voted unanimously to approve a school‑based gang prevention program and then approved separate funding to expand suppression and training statewide, sending both measures to the Senate on Jan. 28.

Representative Ray Short, sponsor of House Bill 34, told colleagues the state’s gang problem had grown—from about 900 to 1,400 members in recent years—and described the shortage of secure youth beds at Decker Lake. “It's called Decker Lake Facility. The secure bed facility that holds 40 kids,” Short said, adding that the daily cost was about “$132.80 a day” per bed and that, "if you multiply that by month, we're spending over $2,000,000 of taxpayers' money to keep these kids in that facility." Short framed HB34 as a prevention and intervention appropriation to put trained personnel in schools and operate a 24‑hour support program to keep at‑risk students engaged in class.

Supporters called the measure bipartisan and preventative. “This program is designed to reach out to those kids 24 hours a day as they face crisis,” Representative Swazo said in backing HB34. Other backers noted local pilot projects such as the Colors of Success program at West High School as models for statewide expansion.

Some members pressed for clarity about scope and duplication with other at‑risk programs and about whether the local school budget share might discourage participation. Representative Weaver asked whether the bill addresses students who refuse intervention and whether it included enforcement or expulsion mechanisms; the sponsor said disciplinary and expulsion rules remain with schools and the law.

House Bill 34 passed on a voice/recorded vote of 71‑0.

Short then presented House Bill 35, an appropriation to support gang suppression efforts beyond the Wasatch Front. The bill would allow the metro gang unit to provide training and assistance statewide and fund additional officers and educational outreach. Short said the appropriation would allow communities that have not yet faced severe gang problems to “be educated on what to look for.”

Debate on HB35 echoed the prevention discussion: proponents argued funding training and shared expertise would prevent escalation in rural areas; some members, including Representative Fuller, cautioned about spending priorities and asked whether additional appropriations were the best use of limited education funds.

House Bill 35 passed 68‑2 and was referred to the Senate.

Both bills are permissive in implementation details described on the floor; the House record shows formal passage and transmittal to the Senate for further consideration.

Next steps: Both HB34 and HB35 will be considered by the Utah Senate; the House record contains the full floor debate and recorded vote tallies.