hb230.html

06 LC 18 5476S

The House Committee on Ways and Means offers the following substitute to HB 230:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Article 4A of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to community involvement in education, so as to enact the "Time for Schools Act"; to provide for legislative findings, policy, and intent; to provide that employers are strongly encouraged to allow employees who are parents, legal guardians, or custodians of a child or children to take at least eight hours per year of leave to attend certain school functions; to provide for construction of such provisions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Article 4A of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to community involvement in education, is amended by inserting at the end thereof a new Code Section 20-2-87 to read as follows:

"20-2-87.

(a) This Code section shall be known and may be cited as the 'Time for Schools Act.'

(b)(1) The General Assembly finds that research has shown that parental involvement in a child́s education is one of the most important factors in determining school success. The General Assembly finds that the strength of Georgiás economy depends on school success and the availability of a well-educated workforce. The General Assembly finds that the federal 'No Child Left Behind Act' requires schools to engage and expand parental involvement in the schools.

(2) It is hereby declared to be the public policy of this state that parents, legal guardians, and legal custodians are strongly encouraged to participate in their child́s education, including attendance at parent-teacher conferences and programs intended for parental participation, and to provide needed support to the school in order to promote the child́s education. It is the intent of this Code section to encourage such parental involvement in the schools.

(c) Employers in this state are strongly encouraged to allow at least eight hours per year to each employee, who, upon providing reasonable notice as determined by the employer, requests leave to attend school functions consisting of parent-teacher conferences or programs that are part of the curriculum and intended for parental participation or to provide needed support to the school in order to promote the child́s education. The employer may require validation of such employeés school visit by a teacher or school administrator.

(d) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to require an employer that otherwise provides for leave for its employees to create an additional day of leave; provided, however, that attendance at school functions is strongly encouraged to be included in such employeŕs approved uses of leave from work.

(e) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to create a legal action against any employer for noncompliance with this Code section."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.