R277-460. Distribution of Substance Abuse Prevention Account

R277.  Education, Administration.

R277-460.  Distribution of Substance Abuse Prevention Account.

R277-460-1.  Authority and Purpose.

          (1)  This rule is authorized by:

          (a)  Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3, which vests general control and supervision over public education in the Board;

          (b)  Section 53G-10-405, which directs the Board to adopt rules providing for instruction on the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, electronic cigarette products, and controlled substances;

          (c)  Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which allows the Board to make rules to execute the Board's duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law; and

          (d)  Section 53E-3-522, which directs the Board to provide for:

          (i)  substance abuse prevention and education;

          (ii)  substance abuse prevention training for teachers and administrators; and

          (iii)  LEA programs to supplement, not supplant, existing local prevention efforts in cooperation with local substance abuse authorities.

          (2)  The purpose of this rule is to provide for the distribution of the Board's share of the money from the Substance Abuse Prevention Account.

 

R277-460-2.  Definitions.

          (1)  "Educational materials" means visual and auditory media, curricula, textbooks, and other disposable or non-disposable items that enhance student understanding of the subject matter.

          (2)  "Electronic cigarette product" has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 59-14-802.

          (3)  "Local substance abuse authority" means the person or group designated by the Legislature as the county authority to receive public funds for substance abuse prevention and treatment.

          (4)  "Substance abuse prevention education activities and intervention" means proactive educational activities designed to eliminate any illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, electronic cigarette products, and controlled substances.

 

R277-460-3.  Fund Allocations.

          (1)  Before making the distributions described in Subsections (2) and (3), the Superintendent shall retain sufficient substance abuse prevention funds to pay for the salary, benefits, and indirect costs of a program administrator at a salary level to be determined by the Superintendent and support staff costs for the program administrator.

          (2)  After the allocation of substance abuse prevention funds is retained as described in Subsection (1), the Superintendent may use up to 45% to:

          (a)  purchase educational materials to support and supplement existing substance abuse prevention efforts;

          (b)  encourage and support statewide substance abuse prevention training for school district and charter school teachers and administrators; and

          (c)  promote substance abuse prevention in the classroom.

          (3)  At least 55% of the substance abuse prevention funds remaining after the allocation described in Subsection (1) shall be distributed to LEAs for use by the LEAs or individual schools within the LEA based on application.

 

R277-460-4.  Applications.

          (1)  The Superintendent shall develop an application for LEAs that are interested in applying for substance abuse prevention funds available as described in this rule.

          (2)  An LEA shall submit the LEA's application to the specialist designated by the Superintendent.

          (3)(a)  Substance abuse prevention funds shall be distributed to LEAs based on funds available from the Substance Abuse Prevention Account.

          (b)  The Superintendent shall describe the available funding amounts in the application described in Subsection (1).

          (4)  An LEA's application for substance abuse prevention funds shall include the following:

          (a)  the applicant's intention to collaborate with the local substance abuse authority and community groups, including shared plans and strategies for substance abuse prevention education, activities, and intervention;

          (b)  the applicant's plan for professional development on substance abuse;

          (c)  the use of funds to implement applicant's plan;

          (d)  teacher reports of classroom implementation and plans for classroom monitoring visits;

          (e)  applicant's enhancement of substance abuse curriculum with additional substance abuse activities and strategies; and

          (f)  applicant's implementation of substance abuse curriculum with school-based behavioral or health or coordinated school health initiatives.

 

R277-460-5.  Limitations on Funds.

          (1)  The Superintendent and LEAs shall use substance abuse prevention funds exclusively for purposes set forth in Section 53E-3-522.

          (2)  Transfer of funds between line items or the extension of project completion dates may be made only with prior written approval of the Superintendent.

          (3)  An LEA may not use funds received under this rule to supplant:

          (a)  funds currently available to the LEA; or

          (b)  funds available from other state or local sources.

 

R277-460-6.  Evaluation and Reports.

          (1)  An applicant that receives substance abuse prevention funds shall provide an end-of-year report in a form and within the deadlines specified by the Superintendent outlined in Rule R277-439.

          (2)  The end-of-year report described in Subsection (1) shall account for the use of funds and include data demonstrating the effectiveness of the LEA's use of those funds in accordance with Subsection 53F-2-525(5)(i).

          (3)  The Superintendent may require additional evaluation or audit procedures from an award recipient to demonstrate the use of funds consistent with the law and Board rules.

 

KEY:  public schools, substance abuse prevention

Date of Last Change:  October 8, 2026

Notice of Continuation:  August 6, 2026

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law:  Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-522; 53F-2-525; 51-9-405

Status of Rule

Effective October 8, 2026

Five-year review August 6, 2031

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Related Utah Law

Public Education Statutes
53F-9-304

53G-10-405

53G-10-406

Other Statutes
None

USBE Administrative Rules
R277-100, Definitions for USBE Rules

R277-910, Underage Drinking and Substance Abuse Prevention Program

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Related Federal Law

None

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Resources

None

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Contact Information

Primary Contact:
Clarissa Stebbing
clarissa.stebbing@schools.utah.gov
Prevention

Secondary Contact:
Cathy Davis
cathy.davis@schools.utah.gov
Prevention

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NOTE: The information on this webpage is provided as a service to users and the Utah State Board of Education is not responsible for any errors or omissions.

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