Brigham Young University is committed to “provid[ing] an environment enlightened by living prophets and sustained by those moral virtues which characterize the life and teachings of the Son of God” (BYU Mission Statement). Accordingly, BYU and its sponsor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Church of Jesus Christ), have zero tolerance for abuse. Abuse violates the laws of God and the laws of society.

BYU personnel, volunteers, contractors, and students must not engage in any form of abuse, as defined below, whether on or off campus, and should do all they can to prevent it and to protect and help those who have been victims of abuse.

This policy establishes standards and requirements for reporting abuse and for interacting with minors in various programs, activities, and events. Failure to comply with this policy may result in discipline, up to and including suspension, dismissal, termination, and a ban from campus.

This policy contains specific requirements for programs, activities, and events that involve minors but does not address other important university policies and legal requirements applicable to all university programs, activities, and events, including those involving minors (e.g., accessibility, privacy, employment laws, copyright law, etc.).

The standards and practices in this policy relating to minor participants also apply to non-minor participants in programs designed for minors.

For purposes of this policy, key terms are defined as follows:

Abuse means the neglect or mistreatment of a Minor in a way that causes (or could cause) physical, emotional, or sexual harm. Abuse includes Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation as defined below. Abuse does not include reasonable discipline or management of a Minor, including withholding privileges, or the use of reasonable and necessary physical restraint or force on a Minor to protect the Minor or others from harm.

Adult means a person 18 years of age or older.

Authorized Adult means an Adult, paid or unpaid, who meets all the requirements listed in this policy necessary to qualify to have Direct Interaction with Minors in a University Program or Non-University Program (e.g., criminal-charge disclosure, Background Check, and training).

Authorized Educational Visit means authorized visits to campus, fewer than eight hours in length per visit, by elementary and secondary school groups, or similar youth educational, civic, or athletics organizations, that have (1) registered in the Minor Protection Registration System through an organizational unit of the university, and (2) signed a written agreement approved by Risk Management and Safety explicitly making the school or organization solely responsible for supervising its students while on campus and indemnifying BYU for any liability that may arise from the visit.

Background Check means a background check through the university’s authorized background check vendor or some other reputable source approved in writing by both Risk Management and Safety and, as applicable, Employee Relations or Faculty Relations, that includes, at a minimum, a state and national criminal background search covering the person’s residency over the last seven years and a national sex offender registry search. A background check may also include additional types of searches of internal and external sources as BYU deems appropriate.

Direct Interaction means interaction that involves supervision, oversight, care, control, or guidance of Minors in individual or group settings.

Minor means any person under the age of 18.

Minor Protection Registration System means an online system created and maintained by Risk Management and Safety where organizational units register University Programs, Non-University Programs, and Authorized Educational Visits by providing information such as program name, dates of operation, number of Minor participants, and names of Authorized Adults so that Risk Management and Safety can verify compliance with this policy (e.g., background checks, training). Registration in the Minor Protection Registration System is for Minor protection purposes only and does not take the place of program approval by responsible university officers or demonstrate compliance with other important university policies and legal requirements applicable to all university programs and activities (e.g., scheduling, funding, catering, advertising).

Non-University Program means an organized program, activity, or event that

• includes participants or volunteers who are Minors;
• is offered, sponsored, and operated entirely by an organization or individual not acting under the direction or control of the university or the Church of Jesus Christ; and
• is held on campus or otherwise uses university-owned facilities.

The following are excluded from the definition of Non-University Program:

1. Authorized Educational Visits;
2. Programs, activities, events, and services open to the general public where attendance and supervision of Minors is at the sole discretion and responsibility of parents or guardians (e.g., on-campus Freedom Festival events, high school athletic and graduation events, Dancesport); and
3. Programs, activities, events, and services not open to the general public where parents or guardians are required to accompany their Minors.

One-on-One Interaction means individual interaction between an Adult and a Minor that is outside the immediate in-person presence of another person or through electronic communication or other means that doesn’t include another Adult.

Program Director means an Authorized Adult, at least 21 years of age, who has primary responsibility for overseeing a University Program, Non-University Program, or Authorized Educational Visit. A Program Director serves as the primary point of contact for a University Program, Non-University Program, or Authorized Educational Visit and is also responsible for ensuring compliance with the requirements of this policy.

Sexual Abuse is any sexual activity between a Minor and an Adult. Sexual Abuse can also include sexual conduct between a Minor and another Minor, especially when one of them is older or is in a position of power, trust, or control. It also includes viewing, creating, or distributing child pornography.

Sexual Exploitation includes knowingly using or influencing a Minor to engage in sexual activity, including viewing pornography, for the sexual arousal of an Adult or for the purpose of photographing or recording the activity. Sexual Exploitation also includes displaying, distributing, selling, or possessing child pornography. A Minor is abused or exploited through any of the above actions whether or not the activity involves explicit force, involves physical contact, is initiated by the Minor, or produces a discernible harmful outcome.

University Program means an organized program, activity, or event that includes participants or volunteers who are Minors and is offered, sponsored, or operated by an organizational unit of the university. A University Program may occur on or off campus. The following are excluded from the definition of University Program:

1. Authorized Educational Visits;
2. Programs, activities, and events intended for undergraduate or graduate-level students, even if they involve Minors who are admitted undergraduate or graduate students or registered for undergraduate or graduate-level courses (e.g., 17-year-old freshmen and high school students concurrently enrolled in BYU Independent Study university courses);
3. Programs, activities, events, and services open to the general public where attendance and supervision of Minors is at the sole discretion and responsibility of parents or guardians (e.g., BYU football games, museums, performances, lectures, dining facilities, BYU Store);
4. Programs, activities, events, and services not open to the general public where parents or guardians are required to accompany their Minors;
5. Programs, activities, and events designed for Adults, even if a person under 18 may participate;
6. Patient-care related activities of the BYU Student Health Center subject to separate Minor protection procedures approved by Risk Management and Safety;
7. Off-campus academic or volunteer opportunities with non-BYU organizations that the university helps arrange for students, provided the non-BYU organization is solely responsible for protecting Minors (e.g., internships, student-teaching, Y-Serve volunteer opportunities);
8. Research protocols involving Minors as human subjects, which are subject to requirements specified by BYU’s Institutional Review Board;
9. Tours and events for prospective student-athletes organized by BYU Athletics subject to separate Minor protection procedures approved by Risk Management and Safety;
10. Visits to campus by youth groups sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ, including FSY sessions, where the group’s Adult leaders are responsible for supervising the Minors involved; and
11. Employment of a Minor by the university (laws and policies related to the employment of Minors should be followed—e.g., the Administrative and Staff Employment Policy).

In accordance with Utah state law, this policy requires all BYU personnel, volunteers, contractors, and students to immediately report to the nearest peace officer, law enforcement agency, or applicable office of the state Division of Child and Family Services any situation, whether on or off campus, in which they have “reason to believe that a [Minor] is, or has been, the subject of abuse or neglect, or observe[d] a [Minor] being subjected to conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect[.]”[1] A person does not need tangible proof to have a duty to report Abuse under Utah law—a duty arises when there is reason to believe Abuse is occurring or occurred. BYU’s Office of General Counsel can answer questions about this reporting obligation, including how to make a report and applicable reporting laws outside of Utah.

Incidents of Sexual Abuse or Sexual Exploitation of a Minor on campus or in a University Program should also be reported to the university’s Title IX coordinator, who ensures that university policies and procedures for investigating these complaints are followed and, if appropriate, disciplinary procedures are initiated.

BYU personnel, volunteers, contractors, and students who have knowledge of and fail to report or to cooperate in an investigation of Abuse may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment and dismissal from the university. In these situations, the university seeks to preserve the confidentiality of the reporting party, provided that it does not interfere with the university’s ability to investigate and take corrective action and is not prohibited by law. Retaliation against a person who has filed a complaint of Abuse is a violation of this policy, and the retaliating person may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment and dismissal from the university, depending on the circumstances and severity of the retaliation. Encouraging others to retaliate also violates this policy.

The university discourages the presence of unescorted or unsupervised Minors on campus. An employee, volunteer, contractor, or student who brings a Minor-aged relative, friend, or other guest on campus, including in campus facilities, is responsible for supervising the Minor at all times.

Only Authorized Adults may have Direct Interaction with Minors in a University Program or Non-University Program. The following requirements and standards apply to Authorized Adults.

Criminal-Charge Disclosure and Background Check

To qualify as an Authorized Adult, a person must fully disclose to BYU (or to the organization operating a Non-University Program) during the application process any conviction, guilty plea (including a plea held in abeyance), or “no contest” plea to any charge for a violation of criminal or military law, other than minor traffic violations. An Authorized Adult (or applicant) must disclose subsequent convictions, pleas, or arrests within 24 hours.

A person must also successfully complete a Background Check. Background Checks for continuing non-student university employees (e.g., faculty and staff employees) must be completed every five years. Background Checks for all others seeking qualification as an Authorized Adult (e.g., student employees, short-term university employees, and staff of Non-University Programs) must be completed annually. A person for whom a criminal-charge disclosure or Background Check reveals a criminal conviction or plea is not authorized to participate in University Programs or Non-University Programs without written approval from Risk Management and Safety and Employee Relations or Faculty Relations (as applicable).

Training

To qualify as an Authorized Adult in a University Program, a person must successfully complete the university’s Minor protection online training course within one year before the start of the University Program. To qualify as an Authorized Adult in a Non-University Program, a person must successfully complete the university’s Minor protection online training course, or a course similar in scope and substance that has been approved by Risk Management and Safety, within 60 days before the start of the Non-University Program.

Registration and Verification for University Programs

To qualify as an Authorized Adult in a University Program, a person must be registered for the University Program in the Minor Protection Registration System. Once the registration is submitted, Risk Management and Safety verifies that all requirements have been met. A person does not qualify as an Authorized Adult until the verification is complete.

Authorized Adults interact with Minors in accordance with the following standards.

One-on-One Interaction

Authorized Adults should avoid One-on-One Interaction. Where avoiding One-on-One Interaction is not feasible, the Authorized Adult should take reasonable precautions to eliminate the risk of improper contact—e.g., providing a well-illuminated, easily accessible space or room observable by other Adults, and providing prior written notification to the Authorized Adult’s supervisor and the parent or guardian. One-on-One Interaction may be necessary in emergency situations.

Standards of Conduct

Authorized Adults involved in University Programs must comply with the following standards:

1. Church Educational System Honor Code; and
2. Standards of Communication with Minors in University Programs.

Authorized Adults in both University Programs and Non-University Programs must not engage in any of the following:

1. Abuse, hazing, bullying, or any other form of demeaning or disrespectful behavior, whether by means of direct physical contact, verbal communication, text messages, email, online forums, social networking sites, or any other method;
2. Striking, hitting, administering corporal punishment to, or otherwise touching a Minor in an abusive or illegal manner;
3. Assisting Minors in accessing pornography or making any form of pornography available to them;
4. Sleeping in the same room, tent, or other same-space dwelling as a Minor, unless the Minor is the Authorized Adult’s son, daughter, or sibling;
5. Being alone with a Minor in a bathroom, changing area, showering area, or locker room except when responding to a specific emergency;
6. Dressing, showering, or bathing in the presence of a Minor, unless it is part of a pre- or post-activity rinse where appropriate swimwear is worn at all times;
7. Transporting a Minor in a personal vehicle unless the Minor is a close relative of the Authorized Adult;
8. Dating a Minor, asking a Minor to keep secrets, or inviting a Minor to the Authorized Adult’s home;
9. Consuming, possessing, providing, or displaying tobacco, alcohol, illegal substances, or prescription drugs (unless a parent or guardian has specifically authorized in writing the administration of prescription drugs); and
10. Carrying, using, providing, or displaying firearms or weapons of any kind (unless done in connection with a legitimate activity of the program and specifically authorized by Risk Management and Safety).

The organizational unit offering, sponsoring, or operating a University Program is solely responsible for complying with this policy and for any associated expenses.

Prior to operation, a University Program must do the following:

1. Formally appoint a Program Director;
2. Register in the Minor Protection Registration System at least 30 days before the start of the University Program;
3. Provide to Risk Management and Safety the name of each Authorized Adult, verifying that each meets the criminal-charge disclosure, Background Check, and training requirements of this policy prior to the Authorized Adult’s involvement in the University Program;
4. Obtain from each Minor an agreement approved by Risk Management and Safety and signed by the Minor and the Minor’s parent/guardian covering at least the following:
   • parent/guardian consent for the Minor to participate;
   • commitment from the Minor and parent/guardian to comply with applicable university rules and policies;
   • description of the activities and an assumption of risks;
   • waiver of liability in favor of BYU;
   • authorization for emergency medical treatment if parents/guardians are unavailable;
   • disclosure of any allergies or other medical or physical condition that might impact participation; and
   • image consent;
5. Take reasonable measures to inform Minors and their parents/guardians of the BYU Privacy Notice;
6. Arrange access to emergency medical services and licensed emergency medical transport at all locations during the University Program (Risk Management and Safety may provide information);
7. Establish a procedure for notifying parents/guardians in the event of an emergency, and obtain and keep accessible contact information for parents/guardians, as well as emergency contacts in case parents/guardians are unavailable;
8. Provide information to parents/guardians detailing the manner in which their Minors may be contacted during the University Program;
9. Establish an age-appropriate procedure for the drop-off and pick-up of Minors at the beginning and end of the University Program, as well as check-out procedures during the University Program; and
10. Submit a safety plan to Risk Management and Safety addressing any high-risk activities at least 30 days before the start of the University Program.

During operation, a University Program must:

1. Establish a supervision structure for Authorized Adults overseen by the Program Director;
2. Provide an adequate supervision ratio of Minors to Authorized Adults, taking into account the number and age of the Minors, the activities involved, the type of facilities used, and the age and experience of Authorized Adults—at a minimum there must be two Authorized Adults providing supervision over a University Program (recommended supervision ratios may be obtained from Risk Management and Safety);
3. Limit transportation of Minors to university-owned vehicles driven by Authorized Adults who have completed applicable training required by the university, or a third-party common carrier retained by the university through an agreement approved by Risk Management and Safety—age-appropriate safety restraints should be used;
4. Comply with procedures applicable to University Programs with online activities;
5. Comply with any other procedures that may be implemented by Risk Management and Safety under this policy;
6. Comply with the Concussion and Head Injury Policy, as applicable; and
7. Take reasonable measures to provide for the physical safety of Minors and comply with any applicable safety plan approved by Risk Management and Safety.

If an organizational unit believes that a requirement of this policy would result in an undue hardship or fundamental alteration of its University Program, it may request an exception through Risk Management and Safety. Such a request should be submitted to Risk Management and Safety at least 30 days before the start of the University Program.

A Non-University Program wishing to operate on campus or otherwise use university facilities must first enter into a written agreement approved by Risk Management and Safety requiring the Non-University Programs to do the following:

1. Formally appoint a Program Director;
2. Secure the approval of an organizational unit of the university, evidenced by the approving organizational unit’s registration of the Non-University Program in the Minor Protection Registration System at least 90 days before the start of the Non-University Program;
3. Document that each Authorized Adult meets the criminal-charge disclosure, Background Check, and training requirements of this policy and provide such documentation to BYU upon request;
4. Provide an age-appropriate supervision ratio;
5. Adequately supervise Authorized Adults, taking reasonable measures to ensure compliance with and enforcement of the standards of conduct set forth in this policy applicable to Non-University Programs;
6. Obtain for each Minor, and provide to BYU upon request, an agreement approved by Risk Management and Safety and signed by the Minor’s parent or guardian covering at least the following:
   • parent or guardian consent for the Minor to participate;
   • description of the activities and an assumption of risks; and
   • waiver of liability in favor of BYU;
7. Indemnify BYU for any claims arising from the Non-University Program; and
8. Obtain and maintain insurance coverage as required by Risk Management and Safety.

In addition to other responsibilities set forth in this policy, the university has designated Risk Management and Safety to perform the following functions in collaboration with and under the direction of the Executive Risk Management and Compliance Committee and the Minor Protection Compliance Committee:

1. Create and maintain the Minor Protection Registration System;
2. Implement procedures as necessary to carry out this policy;
3. Create and maintain an informational website to assist University Programs, Non-University Programs, Minors, and parents or guardians in understanding this policy and its accompanying procedures;
4. Create and maintain an online training course covering the principles of this policy and related procedures;
5. Provide training and promotional information on this policy and its accompanying procedures; and
6. Audit University Programs and Non-University Programs for compliance with this policy.

Risk Management and Safety, with the approval of the responsible vice president, may cancel at any time a University Program, Non-University Program, or Authorized Educational Visit if it determines that the program or visit is not substantially in compliance with this policy or would otherwise be unsafe for Minors.

Except for abuse reporting requirements, Risk Management and Safety may consider and, with the written approval of the assistant to the president and general counsel, grant an exception to a requirement of this policy if the requirement would otherwise result in an undue hardship or significantly inhibit the goals and outcomes of a program, activity, or event. In considering such a request, Risk Management and Safety prioritizes the safety and best interests of Minors. Requests for exception should be submitted to Risk Management and Safety at least 30 days before the start of the program, activity, or event.

A member of Risk Management and Safety serves as the minor protection compliance coordinator for the university and coordinates Risk Management and Safety’s responsibilities under this policy.

[1] Utah Code Ann. § 80-2-602(1) (2024).