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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The bill sponsored by the ailing Sen. Chris Buttars to ban gay-straight clubs in public schools may be replaced by one sponsored by Rep. Aaron Tilton if the health problems prevent Buttars from returning.
Undisclosed health problems have limited Buttars' time at the Legislature, said Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem.
No senators were stepping up to carry Buttars' SB97, leaving questions about its fate should Buttars not return.
"This is not an issue we're really anxious to take up at this time unless Sen. Buttars is here to do it," Valentine said.
"There are certain pieces of legislation that come before (lawmakers) when the sponsor of that legislation is the best person ... to do it justice," he said. "I don't think there is anyone here who could do it justice. He should do it."
Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, who leaders said was prepared to carry Buttars' other bills, including the Origins of Life measure, if the West Jordan Republican does not return, said he opposes gay clubs but will not be running that bill.
"I don't have the background," he said. "(It) takes a fairly significant commitment to understand the nuances" of court rulings on clubs at a time when he's focused on tax reform legislation.
Tilton, R-Springville, says his HB393, "Public Education Club Amendments," is close to public release and will look "virtually identical" to SB97.
"I will probably be more aggressive in my bill" and require parental notification of some kind, Tilton said.
The bill also "may or may not" set up a rating system, such as those for movies, that the school district could apply "so a parent would be made aware ... of the (club's) nature, that might conflict with a value they might hold."
The rating might be included in a parental permission slip, he said.
"It will restrict clubs, in my opinion, that ... don't adhere to community standards," Tilton said of the bill.
SB97 directs schools to deny clubs if they encourage criminal conduct, promote bigotry or involve human sexuality, which it said includes "promoting or encouraging self-labeling by students in terms of sexual orientation" and "disclosing attitudes or personal conduct of students or members of their families regarding sexual orientation, attitudes or beliefs."
Clubs also could be denied if the school deems it necessary to protect the "physical, emotional, psychological or moral well-being of students and faculty," maintain order, protect parent and student rights, maintain "boundaries of socially appropriate behavior" or ensure compliance with all applicable laws and policies.
The first Gay-Straight Alliance club in Utah was started in 1995 at East High School, and there are now about 14 such clubs in Utah public schools.
Supporters of the clubs contend they are protected by the federal Equal Access Act, which was co-sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and requires any public secondary school accepting federal funds to allow all school clubs equal access to its facilities. It was aimed at protecting student religious activities.
Martin Bates, Granite School District attorney and assistant to the superintendent, questions whether the anti-club bill would affect formation of gay-straight alliances if they do not talk about sex. A number of principals have said the clubs do not discuss sex.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
