House Bill 595: Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in Schools

April 12, 2024April 12, 2024 Bill Tracker

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The Senate failed to vote on HB 595 by the April 10 deadline, causing this bill to die in on the calendar.

Explanation of the Bill

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As amended by the Senate, House Bill 595 would authorize school principals to allow representatives of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America to speak with public school students about civic involvement. 

In practice, the bill would require Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to go through a specific process to be able to present in schools. They would first submit a written request to the principal of a school. The principal would provide written approval with the manner, date, and time for a representative from either or both organizations to speak with students. The principal would also be required to inform students’ parents about the presentations at least three days before the presentations take place. 

Though principals already have the ability to grant permission for outside groups to speak to students, discussion in the Senate Education Committee indicated that some principals are concerned about granting permission to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts while refusing it to other outside groups. The committee discussion revealed that these principals would feel more comfortable allowing Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in their schools if there was a specific law permitting it.