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Committee votes 'do not pass' on bill restricting school-administered student surveys
Summary
After extended debate about content and parental notice, the House Education Committee voted 8-6 to recommend 'do not pass' on Senate Bill 21-05, which would restrict certain school surveys; members cited concerns about grant funding and existing local controls but also worries over survey content for younger students.
The House Education Committee voted to recommend a do-not-pass for Senate Bill 21-05, a measure that would limit certain student surveys administered in schools. The committee recorded the final result as 8–6 in favor of the do-not-pass motion.
Vice Chair Representative Schreiber Beck moved the do-not-pass after noting testimony opposing the bill; Representative Hager seconded. Committee discussion covered the surveys' role in securing federal grant dollars and public-health information: Representative Jonas and other members said the Youth Risk Behavior Survey and similar instruments are used to target prevention programs and to qualify some grants, and that districts may screen or remove specific questions. Representative Schreiber Beck noted that the surveys are currently opt-out and that few parents exercise opt-out.
Opponents of the surveys raised concerns about sensitive questions presented to middle-school students. Representative Morton read sample questions from the middle-school survey raising issues such as exposure to explicit images and questions about sexual behavior; he argued parents should be able to opt in after reviewing the questions. Other members asked about how parents are notified; Representative Jonas said districts notify families in advance and provide a link to the questionnaire so parents can review it before opting out.
After debate, the clerk called the roll. The transcript records: “The do not pass motion carries 8 to 6.” Representative Conmee was assigned as bill carrier for committee follow-up.
