ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fourth Legislature

Second Regular Session

House: TECH DPA 7-0-0-0

HB 2654: patriotic youth groups; school access.

Sponsor: Representative Thorpe, LD 6

Caucus & COW

Overview

Permits certain patriotic youth groups to address students.

History

In accordance with the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act, a public elementary school, public secondary school, local educational agency, or State education agency that has a designated open forum or a limited public forum cannot deny equal access or a fair opportunity to meet to, or discriminate against, any group officially affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America, or any other youth group listed in Title 36 (as a patriotic society), that wishes to conduct a meeting within that designated open forum or limited public forum. Youth group is a group or organization intended to serve young people under the age of 21 (20 U.S.C. § 7905).

Patriotic Youth Groups under Federal laws 36 U.S. Code, subtitle II, Part B are as follows:

1) Big Bothers-Big Sisters of America; (36 U.S.C. § 301)

2) Boy Scouts of America; (36 U.S.C. § 309)

3) Boys & Girls Clubs of America; (36 U.S.C. § 311)

4) Future Farmers of America; and (36 U.S.C. § 709)

5) Girl Scouts of the United States of America. (36 U.S.C. § 803)

Provisions

Patriotic Youth Organization (Organization) (Sec. 1)

1. Permits a principal to allow representatives from each Organization a single opportunity each year to address students about how the Organization supports educational interests and civic involvement.

2. Requires the single opportunity for each Organization to:

a) Occur during the first quarter of each academic school year; and

b) Not exceed 10 minutes in duration.

3. Instructs a representative of an Organization that intends to address students to submit a request to the principal during the first two weeks of the school year.

4. Allows the principal, upon receiving a request, to provide the representative with approval that includes the date and time that the representative may address the students.

5. Requires the principal to ensure that materials provided by the Organization are distributed directly to students on school property.

6. Permits the principal to request prior approval of the materials and to determine the method of distribution.

7. Prohibits a public school from denying equal access or a fair opportunity to address students to, or discriminate against, any of the Organizations that wish to address students within that designated open forum or limited public forum.

8. Defines patriotic youth organizations.

Amendments

Committee Technology

1. Modifies the definition of patriotic youth organizations to include:

a) A youth group or youth organization to be approved by either:

i. The school district governing board or charter school governing body; or

ii. The principal of the public school.

2. Makes technical changes.

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6. HB 2654

7. Initials PRB Page 0 Caucus & COW

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