Senate OKs student clubs bill

The Utah Senate on Monday gave final approval to a student clubs bill that would allow a school to deny a non-curricular club, like a Gay-Straight Alliance.

But some suggest the bill could be headed for a conference committee if the House doesn't concur with the substitute bill approved by the Senate.

HB236 would give parents the authority to view material distributed in a club seven days prior to the club meeting and require the school to appoint a faculty adviser to each non-curricular club. It would also require clubs to establish bylaws, a statement of purpose and a name related to that purpose.

The bill was passed in the House earlier this month in a watered-down form that would basically only require parental permission for a student to join a non-curricular club — something many districts already require.

Lawmakers felt the bill could be overstepping their role in dictating school club policy. They also felt the requirement to establish bylaws and agendas could be cumbersome for students. "who just want to get together after school and play chess."

However, later in a Senate committee Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, Senate sponsor of the bill, substituted the bill again to its original and current form. And Monday the Senate passed the measure out in a 20-8 vote.

The bill is now be headed back to the House for approval. But that may be a tough sell since members had voted the substitute bill out in a 72-3 vote.

Rep. Aaron Tilton, R-Springville, House sponsor of the bill, said he is confident the House will approve the bill in its current form since at this point they cannot amend it and it will empower parents.

"It shouldn't have any problems — once it goes back (to the House) they can't offer any amendments and for people that want parental control, this is the bill we have," Tilton said.

But House Majority Leader Dave Clark, R-Santa Clara, said he believes the bill will end up in conference committee based on the previous House vote.

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