What’s Behind Utah’s Senate Bill 199 Will Eliminate Utah PTA

On February 10, Senator Curt Bramble (R-Provo), Chairman of the Education Committee, introduced the Equal Recognition of School Parent Groups bill (S.B. 199). This bill would make it illegal for schools to work with parent groups that charge dues.
S.B. 199 is disguised as legislation supporting equal recognition for all school parent groups–but such protections already exist! This bill would eliminate Utah PTA and, with it, many resources which benefit Utah students, such as the Reflections Program and oversight of the School Trust Lands. Utah PTA has a long history of promoting the involvement of all of Utah’s parents in schools, and S.B. 199 would bring that legacy to an immediate end. PTA truly supports equal access for all parents, regardless of which group they join–which begs the question of what is gained by excluding parent groups that require the payment of dues?
Unfortunately, Senator Bramble would not meet with Utah PTA prior to the introduction of the bill and, although PTA gave strong testimony against S.B. 199, it passed out of the education committee. This bill is now heading to the Senate floor for a full Senate vote.
It is not certain what prompted this bill, but there was controversy in Utah when the national PTA magazine accepted an ad from PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) offering scholarships to youth. This happened at least two years ago, but perhaps some people have long memories.
If you live in Utah, contact your state senator TODAY, and tell them to vote NO on S.B. 199. Contact informatin can be found here.
I work for PTA but I am posting this as a private citizen who believes that no matter what promoted the bill, it is discriminatory.