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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, First Regular Session
patriotic youth groups; school access
Purpose
Allows any youth group that is designated as a patriotic society, to address and encourage student participation, upon review of a principal within public schools. Prohibits the denial of equal access or fair opportunity for a youth group that wishes to conduct a meeting.
Background
A youth group listed as a patriotic society (youth group), includes the Boys and Girls Club of America, Future Farmers of America, Boy Scouts of America and Big Brothers-Big Sisters of America (36 U.S.C. Subtitle 2, pt. B). Specifically, a youth group is any group or organization that intends to serve young people under 21 years old (20 U.S.C. § 7905).
No public elementary or secondary school or local educational agency, that has a designated open forum or limited public forum and receives funds from the U.S. Department of Education, may deny equal access, a fair opportunity or discriminate for reasons based on the membership, leadership criteria or oath of allegiance to God and country, against any group affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America or any other youth group that wishes to conduct a meeting within a forum (20 U.S.C. § 7905).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows a public school principal, within the first quarter of an academic school year, to authorize representatives of any youth group to address students for up to 10 minutes during regular school hours, about how the youth group supports educational interests and civic involvement.
2. Requires a youth group representative to submit a verbal or written request to the principal during the first two weeks of the academic school year.
3. Allows the principal, after receiving the request, to:
a) provide the youth group with a verbal or written approval, including the date and time the representative may address the students; and
b) request prior approval of materials provided by a youth group and determine how they are distributed directly to students.
4. Requires the principal to ensure that material provided by a youth group be distributed to students on school property through the academic school year, to encourage participation in the youth group.
5. Prohibits a public school from denying equal access, a fair opportunity or discriminating against any youth group that wishes to conduct a meeting, on the basis of membership, leadership criteria or oath of allegiance to God and country.
6. Defines that a youth group listed in 36 U.S. Code, Subtitle II, Part B as a patriotic society means any group or organization that intends to serve youth and that is listed in 36 U.S.C., Subtitle II, Part B or its affiliated organizations.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 1, 2019
JO/CP/gs