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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to student clubs in the public schools. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 33.088 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 33.088. STUDENT CLUBS. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Parent" includes a guardian or other person |
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standing in parental relation. |
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(2) "Student club" means any student organization |
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sponsored or sanctioned by a school district that meets during |
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noninstructional time. |
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(b) A school district shall require written parental |
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consent as a condition of a student's participation in a student |
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club. |
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(c) A school district shall seek parental consent under this |
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section by providing a written form to a parent that includes the |
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following information regarding the student club in which the |
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student wishes to participate: |
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(1) the name of the club; |
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(2) the most appropriate of the following categories |
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that could be used to characterize the nature of the club's |
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activities: |
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(A) athletics; |
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(B) business or economics; |
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(C) agriculture; |
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(D) art, music, or performance; |
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(E) religion; |
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(F) science; |
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(G) computer science and technology; |
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(H) electronic games or other games; or |
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(I) another activity; |
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(3) the maximum number of students anticipated to |
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participate in the club; |
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(4) the dates on which the club's activities are |
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anticipated to begin and end; |
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(5) a tentative schedule of the club's activities, |
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with dates, times, and locations specified, if possible; |
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(6) identification of student personal expenses |
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associated with the club, if any; |
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(7) the name of the school district employee |
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responsible for overseeing the club; and |
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(8) any additional information determined appropriate |
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by the school district. |
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(d) A school district may not permit a student club to: |
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(1) encourage criminal or delinquent conduct; |
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(2) promote bigotry; or |
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(3) engage in activity involving human sexuality. |
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(e) For purposes of Subsection (d): |
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(1) activity encouraging criminal or delinquent |
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conduct includes action or advocacy of imminent action that |
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violates any law, but does not include discussion concerning |
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modification of law or action taken through lawfully established |
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channels to achieve a change in law; |
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(2) activity promoting bigotry includes action or |
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advocacy of imminent action involving the harassment or denigration |
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of a person, including harassment or denigration based on race, |
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religion, national origin, gender, disability, or sexual |
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preference; and |
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(3) activity involving human sexuality includes: |
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(A) presenting information in violation of laws |
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or school district policies regarding human sexuality instruction; |
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and |
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(B) advocating or engaging in sexual activity |
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that occurs outside of legally recognized marriage or that is |
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prohibited by state law. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2007-2008 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |