ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-seventh Legislature First Regular Session
	House: ED DP 8-4-0-0 | 3rd Read 60-0-0-0 Senate: ED DPA 6-0-1-0 | 3rd Read 17-11-2-0

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HB2724: patriotic youth groups; school access

Sponsor: Representative Rivero, LD 27

Senate Engrossed

Overview

Permits a public school principal to allow patriotic youth group representatives to address students during regular school hours as specified. Details request procedures and material distribution requirements.

History

A youth group is a group or organization intended to serve young people under the age of 21. Federal law lists organizations that are considered patriotic societies, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Boy Scouts of America, Girls Scouts of America and Big Brothers-Big Sisters of America. A public elementary school, public secondary school, local educational agency or state educational agency that receives funds through the U.S. Department of Education and that has a designated open or limited public forum cannot discriminate against or deny equal access or a fair opportunity to meet to any group officially affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America or any other youth group listed in federal law as a patriotic society that wishes to conduct a meeting within the open or limited public forum (20 U.S.C. § 7905) (36 U.S.C. Subtitle II, Part B).

Provisions                                            

1. Authorizes, during regular school hours of the first quarter of each academic school year, a public school principal to allow representatives from any patriotic youth group to address students, as determined by the principal, about how the group supports educational interests and civic involvement. (Sec. 1)

2. Requires a patriotic youth group representative who seeks to address public school students to submit a verbal or written request to the principal during the first two weeks of the academic school year. (Sec. 1)

3. Allows a public school principal, after receiving the request, to provide the patriotic youth group with verbal or written approval that includes the date and time the representative may address students. (Sec. 1)

4. Permits a public school principal to accept materials provided by the patriotic youth group or its representatives for distribution to students. (Sec. 1)

5. Stipulates that if the public school principal accepts materials from a patriotic youth group, the principal must ensure that the materials are distributed directly to students on school property throughout the academic school year to encourage student participation in the group. (Sec. 1)

6. Authorizes a public school principal to request prior access to the materials for approval and to determine the method of distribution directly to students. (Sec. 1)

7. Prohibits a public school from denying equal access or a fair opportunity to meet to, or discriminating against, any patriotic youth group that wishes to conduct a meeting within a designated open or limited public forum. (Sec. 1)

8. Defines patriotic youth group. (Sec. 1)  

Senate Amendments

1. Removes the requirement that a public school principal ensure that materials from a patriotic youth group are distributed throughout the academic school year to encourage student participation in the group.

2. Modifies the definition of patriotic youth group by requiring the group to:

a) serve individuals who are younger than 21 years old;

b) have an educational purpose that promotes patriotism and civic involvement; and

c) be listed in federal law as specified or be a state affiliate of a group or organization listed in federal law.

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                        HB 2724

Initials CH/LN          Page 0 Senate Engrossed

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