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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session
patriotic youth groups; school access
Purpose
Allows specified patriotic youth organizations (organizations) to address students on educational interests and civic involvement under prescribed conditions, subject to approval by the school principal.
Background
A youth group is any group or organization that intends to serve young people under 21 years old (20 U.S.C. § 7905). A youth group listed as a patriotic society 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).
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 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. Permits public school principals to allow organizations a single opportunity each academic year to address students on educational interests and civic involvement.
2. Requires the student address to:
a) occur during the first quarter of the academic year;
b) occur during regular school hours; and
c) be under 10 minutes.
3. Requires an organization representative that intends to address students to submit a verbal or written request to the principal during the first two weeks of the academic year.
4. Allows the principal to provide the organization representative with verbal or written approval, including the date and time of the student address.
5. Requires the principal to ensure materials provided by an organization and its representatives are distributed directly to students on school property throughout the academic year to encourage student participation.
6. Allows the principal to request prior approval of materials and determine the method of distributing them to students.
7. Prohibits a public school from discriminating against or denying equal access or a fair opportunity for organizations wishing to conduct meetings or address students within the designated forum, including for reasons based on membership or leadership criteria or oath of allegiance to God and country.
8. Defines patriotic youth organizations to include:
a) the following groups and organizations listed in the U.S. Code and their state affiliates:
i. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America;
ii. Boy Scouts of America;
iii. Boys and Girls Clubs of America;
iv. Future Farmers of America; and
v. Girl Scouts of America; and
b) a youth group or organization approved by:
i. the school district governing board or charter school governing body; and
ii. the school principal.
9. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
ED 2/11/20 W/D
TECH 2/19/20 DPA 7-0-0-0
3rd Read 3/05/20 44-15-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 13, 2020
JO/JP/gs