2006 Utah Code - 53A-13-101.2 — Waivers of participation -- Parental permission for student clubs.

     53A-13-101.2.   Waivers of participation -- Parental permission for student clubs.
     (1) If a parent with legal custody or other legal guardian of a student, or a secondary student, determines that the student's participation in a portion of the curriculum or in an activity would require the student to affirm or deny a religious belief or right of conscience, or engage or refrain from engaging in a practice forbidden or required in the exercise of a religious right or right of conscience, the parent, guardian, or student may request:
     (a) a waiver of the requirement to participate; or
     (b) a reasonable alternative that requires reasonably equivalent performance by the student of the secular objectives of the curriculum or activity in question.
     (2) The school shall promptly notify a student's parent or guardian if the student makes a request under Subsection (1).
     (3) If a request is made under Subsection (1), the school shall:
     (a) waive the participation requirement;
     (b) provide a reasonable alternative to the requirement; or
     (c) notify the requesting party that participation is required.
     (4) The school shall ensure that the provisions of Subsection 53A-13-101.3(3) are met in connection with any required participation under Subsection (3)(c).
     (5) A student's academic or citizenship performance may not be penalized by school officials for the exercise of a religious right or right of conscience in accordance with the provisions of this section.
     (6) (a) As a condition for participation in a student club or organization that meets on school premises, regardless of the organization's relationship to school curriculum, a local school district may require every student to obtain written permission from either a parent with legal custody or other legal guardian.
     (b) If a local school district requires written permission under Subsection (a), that school district shall require written permission for:
     (i) every club or organization that meets on school premises in that school district; and
     (ii) every student participating in a club or organization described in Subsection (i).
     (c) The local school district shall supply the permission form, and all completed forms shall be filed with the school's principal or the principal's designee.

Amended by Chapter 10, 1996 Special Session 2