08(B). Policy: S.L. 2023-106 Special Updates

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Submitted by jenny_hunter on Fri, 09/15/2023 - 10:36am

Strategic Priority		Reason for Consideration
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship		Action	X
Excellent Educators	X	Information	X
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students	X	Discussion
Operations and Support	X

On August 30, the administration received a Special Custom PLS Update to comply with Session Law 2023-106 (SB 49), which creates a new Chapter 114A of the General Statutes titled “Parents’ Bill of Rights” and also amends Chapter 115C of the General Statutes to add new requirements for schools regarding parental guides and notifications. The new requirements apply with the 2023-2024 school year. The effective date is August 16, 2023 (the date the bill was signed); however, the General Assembly may alter some of the timelines and effective dates until January. NCSBA has identified seven PLS policies that require updates. The revised policies are listed below and presented as first-read information. Dr. Brian Weaver will review the updates and answer any questions you may have.

1310/4002, Parental Involvement. Substantially revises the policy to address the new requirements of the Parents’ Bill of Rights.

3210, Parental Inspection of and Objection to Instructional Materials. The school system must have a written process for parents to inspect and review all textbooks and supplementary instructional materials that will be used in their child’s classrooms.

3540, Comprehensive Health Education Program. Adds a provision prohibiting instruction on gender identity, sexual activity, or sexuality in grades K through 4.

4335, Criminal Behavior. Changes the requirement for reporting to parents when their child is suspected to be the victim of a crime.

4720, Surveys of Students. Changes parental notification and consent requirements based on new state law requirements. Adds a new section about well-being questionnaires and health screening forms.

6120, Student Health Services. The new G.S. 90-211.10B contains language that prohibits health care practitioners, which includes school employees authorized under state law to perform health care services as part of their job, from providing, soliciting, or arranging medical procedures or treatments for a minor without first obtaining written or documented consent from the parent. This law goes into effect on December 1, 2023.

7300, Staff Responsibilities. Adds an employee responsibility to support parental involvement and never encourage a student to withhold information from their parents.

A motion is in order to accept the seven polices listed above as first-read information.

Second-read approval will be tentatively scheduled for the next regular meeting on October 2.

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