First Substitute S.B. 199

Senator Curtis S. Bramble proposes the following substitute bill:

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: Rebecca D. Lockhart
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; and
15 . requires an education entity to allow all parent groups equal access to certain
16 opportunities and resources.
17 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
18 None
19 Other Special Clauses:
20 None
21 Utah Code Sections Affected:
22 ENACTS:
23 53A-3-428, Utah Code Annotated 1953
24
25 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:

26 Section 1. Section 53A-3-428 is enacted to read:
27 53A-3-428. Parent groups -- Equal participation.
28 (1) As used in this section:
29 (a) "Parent group" means a legally organized parent or parent/teacher group,
30 association, or organization on a local, district, or state level that is comprised of members who
31 are patrons of the school.
32 (b) "School" means:
33 (i) a public school, school district, local school board, governing board of a charter
34 school, and the State Board of Education; and
35 (ii) employees and officers of the entities described under Subsection (1)(b)(i).
36 (2) A school shall allow all parent groups equal access to the following:
37 (a) general meetings with the school;
38 (b) access to school facilities, resources, and staff assistance;
39 (c) opportunities and invitations to serve as parent representatives on school
40 committees;
41 (d) school goods and services; and
42 (e) volunteer opportunities, leadership opportunities, and voting privileges at the
43 school.
44 (3) If a school permits a parent group to engage in any of the activities described under
45 Subsection (2), the school shall permit other parent groups to engage in the activity on the same
46 terms and conditions.
47 (4) If a school accepts invitations to attend and participate in meetings sponsored by a
48 parent group, it shall also accept invitations to attend and participate in other parent group
49 meetings.
50 (5) A school may not:
51 (a) establish or maintain structures, procedures, or policies that favor or give
52 preferential treatment to one parent group over another parent group; or
53 (b) endorse, support, sanction, or give approval to one parent group over another parent
54 group.
55 (6) A school shall ensure that while a parent group works in conjunction with the
56 school the parent group:

57 (a) complies with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and policies; and
58 (b) does not encourage or advocate an action that would violate an applicable law, rule,
59 regulation, or policy.