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H.B. 167 Enrolled

             1     

Corrected Version

             2     
SCHOOL UNIFORMS

             3     
2006 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Craig A. Frank

             6     
Senate Sponsor: Howard A. Stephenson

             7      Cosponsors:
             8      J. Stuart Adams
             9      DeMar Bud Bowman
             10      D. Gregg Buxton
             11      Stephen D. Clark
             12      Greg J. Curtis
             13      Bradley M. Daw
             14      Margaret Dayton
             15      Brad L. Dee
             16      Glenn A. Donnelson
             17      John DougallJames A. Dunnigan
James A. Ferrin
Ben C. Ferry
Julie Fisher
Kerry W. Gibson
Gregory H. Hughes
Fred R. Hunsaker
Bradley T. Johnson
Bradley G. Last
Rebecca D. LockhartSteven R. Mascaro
Michael T. Morley
Michael E. Noel
Curtis Oda
Paul Ray
Aaron Tilton
Peggy Wallace
Mark A. Wheatley
Richard W. Wheeler
Scott L Wyatt              18     
             19      LONG TITLE
             20      General Description:
             21          This bill modifies school uniform policy provisions.
             22      Highlighted Provisions:
             23          This bill:
             24          .    provides definitions;
             25          .    modifies findings of the Legislature;
             26          .    provides statutory policy requirements for school uniform policies; and
             27          .    modifies school uniform policy adoption procedures for charter schools.
             28      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             29          None
             30      Other Special Clauses:
             31          None
             32      Utah Code Sections Affected:


             33      ENACTS:
             34          53A-15-1001, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             35          53A-15-1002, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             36          53A-15-1003, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             37      REPEALS:
             38          53A-15-602, as last amended by Chapter 201, Laws of Utah 2002
             39     
             40      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             41          Section 1. Section 53A-15-1001 is enacted to read:
             42     
Part 10. School Uniforms

             43          53A-15-1001. Definitions.
             44          As used in this part:
             45          (1) "Principal" includes the chief administrator of a school that does not have a
             46      principal.
             47          (2) "School" means a public school, including a charter school.
             48          (3) "School official" means the principal of a school or the local school board for a
             49      school district.
             50          (4) "School uniform" means student clothing conforming to a school uniform policy
             51      under this part, which may include a dress code, dress of designated colors, or a reasonable
             52      designated uniform of a particular style. A school uniform policy may not include very
             53      expensive or prescriptive clothing requirements.
             54          Section 2. Section 53A-15-1002 is enacted to read:
             55          53A-15-1002. Uniforms in schools -- Legislative finding -- Policies.
             56          (1) The Legislature finds that:
             57          (a) each student should be allowed to learn in a safe environment which fosters the
             58      learning process and is free from unnecessary disruptions;
             59          (b) the wearing of certain types of clothing may identify students as members of youth
             60      gangs and contribute to disruptive behavior and violence in the schools;


             61          (c) school uniform policies may be part of an overall program to:
             62          (i) improve school safety and discipline; and
             63          (ii) help avoid the disruption of the classroom atmosphere and decorum and prevent
             64      disturbances among students; and
             65          (d) school uniforms may:
             66          (i) decrease violence and theft among students; and
             67          (ii) foster and promote desirable school operating conditions and a positive educational
             68      environment in accordance with this part.
             69          (2) In accordance with Section 53A-15-1003 , a school may adopt a school uniform
             70      policy that requires students enrolled at that school to wear a designated school uniform during
             71      the school day.
             72          (3) A school uniform policy shall:
             73          (a) protect students' free exercise of religious beliefs;
             74          (b) specify whether the uniform policy is voluntary or mandatory for students;
             75          (c) specify whether or not the uniform policy has an opt-out provision in addition to the
             76      provisions under Subsection (5); and
             77          (d) include a provision for financial assistance to families who cannot afford to
             78      purchase a required uniform, which may include:
             79          (i) the school providing school uniforms to students;
             80          (ii) the school making used school uniforms available to students; or
             81          (iii) other programs to make school uniforms available to economically disadvantaged
             82      students.
             83          (4) A school uniform policy under this part is not considered a fee for either an
             84      elementary or a secondary school.
             85          (5) A school uniform policy shall include a provision allowing a principal at any time
             86      during the school year to grant an exemption from wearing a school uniform to a student
             87      because of extenuating circumstances.
             88          (6) (a) If a school adopts a school uniform policy under this part, that school's


             89      governing body or local school board shall adopt local appellate procedures for school actions
             90      under this part, including a denial of an exemption requested under Subsection (5).
             91          (b) A person may seek judicial review of an action under this part only after exhausting
             92      the remedies provided under this Subsection (6).
             93          Section 3. Section 53A-15-1003 is enacted to read:
             94          53A-15-1003. Uniforms in schools -- Policy approval.
             95          (1) The school uniform policy authorized in Section 53A-15-1002 may be adopted:
             96          (a) for a charter school:
             97          (i) by the governing body or administrator of the charter school in accordance with
             98      Subsection (2); or
             99          (ii) by including the school uniform policy in the school's charter approved in
             100      accordance with Title 53A, Chapter 1a, Part 5, The Utah Charter Schools Act;
             101          (b) for more than one school at the district level by a local school board in accordance
             102      with Subsection (2); or
             103          (c) for a single school at the school level by the principal of the school in accordance
             104      with Subsection (2).
             105          (2) A school uniform policy adopted by an election is subject to the following
             106      requirements:
             107          (a) the adopting authority shall hold a public hearing on the matter prior to formal
             108      adoption of the school uniform policy;
             109          (b) (i) the adopting authority shall hold an election for approval of a school uniform
             110      policy prior to its adoption and shall receive an affirmative vote from a majority of those voting
             111      at the election; and
             112          (ii) only parents and guardians of students subject to the proposed school uniform
             113      policy may vote at the election, limited to one vote per family.
             114          (3) (a) A local school board or principal is required to hold an election to consider
             115      adoption of a school uniform policy for an entire school district or an individual school if
             116      initiative petitions are presented as follows:


             117          (i) for a school district, a petition signed by a parent or guardian of 20% of the district's
             118      students presented to the local school board; and
             119          (ii) for an individual school, a petition signed by a parent or guardian of 20% of the
             120      school's students presented to the principal.
             121          (b) The public hearing and election procedures required in Subsection (2) apply to
             122      Subsection (3).
             123          (4) (a) The procedures set forth in Subsections (3) and (4) shall apply to the
             124      discontinuance or modification of a school uniform policy adopted under this section.
             125          (b) A vote to discontinue an adopted school uniform policy may not take place during
             126      the first year of its operation.
             127          (5) The adopting authority shall establish the manner and time of an election required
             128      under this section.
             129          Section 4. Repealer.
             130          This bill repeals:
             131          Section 53A-15-602, Uniforms in public schools -- Determination by school board
             132      or school -- Patron approval.


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