Panel OKs tamer school-clubs bill

A bill regulating clubs in Utah public schools changed into a much tamer version than the sponsor once indicated and passed the House Education Standing Committee late Friday.

But HB393 sponsor Rep. Aaron Tilton, R-Springville, told the Deseret Morning News he plans to amend the bill on the House floor to warn parents that any club their child engages in could, if state law is violated, expose students to concepts including homosexual, heterosexual, transgender and transexual themes, adult sexual molestation and abuse.

The bill passed the committee by an 8-4 vote.

Earlier this week, Tilton said he planned to use that and even more sexually explicit language against clubs he categorized as "explicit content," mainly gay-straight alliances. But singling out one club would violate the law, he said.

"All the clubs have to be treated equally," Tilton said. When asked why the language was needed, he responded: "Parents need to be informed."

Debate at the bill's first public hearing surrounded the merits, or lack thereof, of gay-straight alliances, of which there are believed to be 14 in Utah public schools, Provo High's being among the newest. While the bill doesn't bar them, some believe the bill could give boards more leeway in decisions to allow them.

The Utah public is split on that issue.

Half of Utah adults surveyed by Dan Jones & Associates said they somewhat or strongly oppose "a law that outlaws gay and lesbian student clubs in public high schools." Still, it's unknown where residents would stand on Tilton's bill. The survey of 415 Utah adults was conducted Feb. 14-16 for the Deseret Morning News and KSL-TV. It has a plus or minus 5 percent error margin.

HB393 directs schools to deny clubs or their use of school buildings if they don't meet certain definitions, among them "involving human sexuality." That is defined as "presenting information in violation of laws governing sex education; advocating or engaging in sexual activity outside of legally recognized marriage or forbidden by state law; or presenting or discussing information relating to the use of contraceptive devices or substances."

Parents must OK their student's club participation. They will receive a consent form categorizing the club, be it athletic, arts, science, gaming, religion and "other," plus other particulars from associated costs to a schedule of club activities.

Tilton says the bill also aims to have the state Attorney General's Office defend districts sued over club application decisions.