Earlier this week, you received an update from us
that Rep. Jason Mumpower (R-Bristol) took HB 0868 off notice. However, Tuesday, the other bill calling for parental consent for school clubs (HB 0905) was advanced from the House Subcommittee on K-12 Education and will come up
in the full House Education Committee next week.We believe these bills are a veiled attempt to shut down Gay-Straight alliances and we must stop their momentum.
Below is a list of the Shelby County legislators who
are on the House Education Committee. Please
email/call them TODAY and urge them to “Vote NO
on the Parental Permission Slip Bill - HB 0905”!
Joe Towns (D84)
Phone: (615) 741-2189
Email: rep.joe.towns@legislature.state.tn.us
Jim Coley (R97)
Phone: (615) 741-8201
Email: rep.jim.coley@legislature.state.tn.us
Barbara Cooper (D86)
Phone: (615) 741-4295
Email: rep.barbara.cooper@legislature.state.tn.us
Ulysses Jones (D98)
Phone: (615) 741-4575
Email: rep.ulysses.jones@legislature.state.tn.us
Ron Lollar (R99)
Phone: (615) 741-7084
Email: rep.ron.lollar@legislature.state.tn.us
Larry Turner (D85)
Phone: (615) 741-6954
Email: rep.larry.turner@legislature.state.tn.us
Below is the sample letter:
Subject: Stop Parental Permission Slip Bill!
Dear [insert decision maker name],
I am writing in opposition to HB 0905 by Representative Hill. This bill requires students to get a parent's signature on a permission slip for participation in a school-sponsored club.
This legislation is of serious concern for a number of reasons. First, school employees must spend an increased amount of time on non-educational work. This extra work impacts both administrative staff and teachers serving as club sponsors. Also, Federal law mandates that all clubs be covered--from the school paper to the drama club, so the mounds of paperwork are infinite.
Second, and quite unfortunately, some parents don't take a 'hands on' role in their children's school activities, curricular or extracurricular. These students would most likely be the ones not able to be involved in a club because of a busy parent or their own undirected disorganization, quite typical among youth.
And finally, this bill is a backdoor way to ban certain clubs from being formed, such as Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs). GSAs provide a safe haven for gay students and their straight friends, while promoting self-respect and tolerance.
Please in the interest of students and our teachers, VOTE No on HB 0905.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Act NOW!
Initiative: Fairness would like to thank our friends at the Tennessee Equality Project for providing much of the above information.
