S.B. 56

1

TEACHER ASSOCIATION AMENDMENTS
2 2007 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Mark B. Madsen
5 House Sponsor: Merlynn T. Newbold
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill enacts provisions in Chapter 53A, State System of Public Education, related to
10 policies and procedures governing teacher associations.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . requires school districts and charter schools to allow teacher associations equal
14 access to the following activities:
15 . distribution of information to teachers' physical or electronic mailboxes; and
16 . membership solicitation at new teacher orientation;
17 . prohibits school districts and charter schools from:
18 . establishing or maintaining procedures that favor one teacher association over
19 another; or
20 . explicitly or implicitly endorsing a teacher association; and
21 . prohibits school calendars and publications from referring to the name of any
22 teacher organization in reference to any break in the school calendar.
23 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
24 None
25 Other Special Clauses:
26 None
27 Utah Code Sections Affected:

28 ENACTS:
29 53A-3-426, Utah Code Annotated 1953
30
31 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
32 Section 1. Section 53A-3-426 is enacted to read:
33 53A-3-426. Teacher associations -- Equal participation by teacher associations --
34 Prohibition on endorsement or preferential treatment -- Naming of school breaks.
35 (1) As used in this section:
36 (a) "School" means a school district, a school in a school district, a charter school, or
37 the State Board of Education and its employees.
38 (b) "Teacher association" includes teacher associations, teacher unions, and teacher
39 organizations.
40 (2) A school shall allow teacher associations equal access to the following activities:
41 (a) distribution of information in or access to teachers' physical or electronic
42 mailboxes, including email accounts that are provided by the school; and
43 (b) membership solicitation activities at new teacher orientation training or functions.
44 (3) If a school permits a teacher association to engage in any of the activities described
45 in Subsection (2), the school shall be required to permit all other teacher associations to engage
46 in the activity on the same terms and conditions afforded to the teacher association that has
47 been permitted to engage in the activity.
48 (4) It is unlawful for a school to:
49 (a) establish or maintain structures, procedures, or policies that favor one teacher
50 association over another or otherwise give preferential treatment to a teacher association; or
51 (b) explicitly or implicitly endorse any teacher association.
52 (5) School calendars and publications may not include or refer to the name of any
53 teacher association in relation to any day or break in the school calendar.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-16-07 2:56 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel