S.B. 199

1

EQUAL RECOGNITION OF SCHOOL PARENT
2 GROUPS
3 2009 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Curtis S. Bramble
6 House Sponsor: ____________
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill requires an education entity to allow all parent groups equal access to certain
11 opportunities and resources.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This bill:
14 . provides definitions;
15 . requires an education entity to allow all parent groups equal access to certain
16 opportunities and resources; and
17 . prohibits an education entity from working in conjunction with a parent group that
18 requires the payment of dues as a condition for participation in its group.
19 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
20 None
21 Other Special Clauses:
22 None
23 Utah Code Sections Affected:
24 ENACTS:
25 53A-3-428, Utah Code Annotated 1953
26
27 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:

28 Section 1. Section 53A-3-428 is enacted to read:
29 53A-3-428. Parent groups -- Equal participation.
30 (1) As used in this section:
31 (a) "Parent group" means all legally organized parent or parent/teacher groups,
32 associations, or organizations on a local, district, or state level.
33 (b) "School" means:
34 (i) a public school, school district, local school board, governing board of a charter
35 school, and the State Board of Education; and
36 (ii) employees and officers of the entities described under Subsection (1)(b)(i).
37 (2) A school shall allow all parent groups equal access to the following:
38 (a) general meetings with the school;
39 (b) access to school facilities, resources, and staff assistance;
40 (c) opportunities and invitations to serve as parent representatives on school
41 committees;
42 (d) school goods and services; and
43 (e) volunteer opportunities, leadership opportunities, and voting privileges at the
44 school.
45 (3) If a school permits a parent group to engage in any of the activities described under
46 Subsection (2), the school shall permit other parent groups to engage in the activity on the same
47 terms and conditions.
48 (4) If a school accepts invitations to attend and participate in meetings sponsored by a
49 parent group, it shall also accept invitations to attend and participate in other parent group
50 meetings.
51 (5) A school may not:
52 (a) establish or maintain structures, procedures, or policies that favor or give
53 preferential treatment to one parent group over another parent group;
54 (b) explicitly or implicitly endorse, support, sanction, or give approval to one parent
55 group over another parent group; or
56 (c) work in conjunction with a parent group that requires the payment of dues as a
57 condition for participation in its group, including participation in volunteer opportunities,
58 leadership positions, or the ability to vote.

Legislative Review Note
as of 2-9-09 1:07 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel