Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 89

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED

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"An Act relating to a parent's natural right to direct the education of their child; and

relating to questionnaires administered in schools."

3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

4 * Section 1. AS 14.03 is amended by adding a new section to read:
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Sec. 14.03.016. A parent's natural right to direct the education of their child.

(a) A local school shall recognize the natural right of a parent to direct

their childs education. No regulation or policy shall usurp this right.

(1) The local board shall recognize the right of a parent to object to and withdraw

their child(ren) from an activity, class, performance standard, test, assessment, or

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any program for any reason.

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(2) The board shall recognize the parents right to review the content of an
activity, class, performance standard, test, assessment, or program;
(3) providing for parent notification not less than two weeks before

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any human reproduction, health, or sex education instruction or presentation is

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provided to a child and requiring written permission from the child's parent before

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their child(ren) may participate in the instruction or presentation;

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(4) ensuring that when a child is absent from an activity, class, performance

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standard test, assessment, or program under this section, the absence is

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not considered an unlawful absence under AS 14.30.020.

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(b) The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development shall recognize the

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natural right of parents to direct the education of their child(ren). No regulation shall

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be passed that infringes upon this right.

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(c) In this section,

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(1) "child" means an unemancipated minor under 18 years of age;

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(2) "local school board" has the meaning given in AS 14.03.290;

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(3) "parent" means the natural or adoptive parent of a child or a child's legal

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guardian;

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(4) "school district" has the meaning given in AS 14.30.350.

08 Alaska Department of Education and Early Development as defined in

Sec. 14.07.010.
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Sec. 14.03.110 (a) is amended to include

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(g) the provisions of this law shall also apply to the Alaska Department of Education

11 and Early Development as defined in Sec. 14.07.010.

12 * Sec. 3. AS 14.03.110(d) is amended to read:
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(d) The school shall give a student's parent or guardian an opportunity to

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review the questionnaire or survey described under (b) or (c) of this section and shall

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publish the questionnaire or survey on the districts website two weeks prior. The

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school or district shall give the parent or guardian written notice regarding

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(1) how the questionnaire or survey will be administered to the student;

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(2) how the results of the survey or questionnaire will be used; and

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(3) who will have access to the questionnaire, [OR] survey, or results.