Library Books, Lawsuits, and Instructional Materials
Today the Legislature voted on three bills that ASBA has been watching closely all session. Two passed and one failed, but it still has an opportunity to be brought back. ASBA staff will be upating summaries this week. Stay on top of the latest news with BillTrack50
HB 2161 parental rights; schools; educational records—passed the Senate on 3rd read (ASBA is opposed) The bill was amended to remove the requirements that teachers not withold information from students’ parents, but the open-ended litigation issue remains a large concern.
HB 2439 school library books; parental review—passed the Senate on 3rd read (ASBA is opposed). The bill was amended to apply prospectively and eliminate the review requirement for schools without a full-time librarian or library aide, but the requirement to provide a list of materials a pupil has borrowed to parents remains.
Both bills now go back to the House for concurrence or refusal on Senate amendments
SB 1211 schools; materials; activites; posting; review—FAILED the House on 3rd read (ASBA is opposed). A motion to reconsider was passed and may be acted on at future date.
Other Recent Action
HB 2034 CTEDs; associate degrees—passed Senate Committee of the Whole
Signed by the Governor
HB 2026 early literacy; reading plans
HB 2118 schools; alternative education; revisions
ASBA is neutral on all of these bills
Did Someone Say Budget?—Yes, but Also No
The House of Representatives introduced a set of budget bills today that represent the Legislature’s “baseline” budget—that is, what is required to level-fund state government from year to year with only changes required by formulas and statute. Therefore these bills include a 2% increase to K-12 funding formulas. Some Legislators have expressed a desire to pass only this budget as a so-called “skinny budget” and come back to work on increased spending issues and tax cuts at a later time. Legislative Democrats and some Republicans have already expressed opposition to this idea, and so it seems unlikely. The introduction of bills seems to be more of an effort to get everyone’s position on the record with Legislative leadership.