Lawmakers want schools to be more proactive when it comes to handling and preventing gang activity.

Tuesday, the Senate Education Committee unanimously approved SB59, which would require local school boards to create policies about how to prevent and deal with gang-related activities.

Policies could include rules such as excluding students who participate in gang-related activities from extracurricular activities. Or they could include rules about when schools should notify parents of gang-related incidents.

"Kids should feel safe in schools," said bill sponsor Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City.

State Superintendent Larry Shumway said requiring districts to have policies in place could help, even in small, rural places.

"It's surprising to me how problems with gangs may surface anywhere in our state for a variety of reasons," Shumway said.