Committee approves 'Teagan Church Act' adding excused absence for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts

Chairman Chokas introduced HB1232, a substitute proposed to grant excused absences for students participating in Girl Scouts activities and to designate the code section as the "Teagan Church Act." The sponsor said the measure was born from a constituent issue when his granddaughter was not granted an excused absence to attend a Girl Scout activity at the capitol.

Members asked whether similar provisions already exist for 4‑H and pages of the General Assembly; Legislative Counsel cited code sections that already address some programs but said coverage for student government or other groups may not be explicit. Several members urged broadening the bill to include other youth leadership organizations.

An amendment to add "Boy Scouts of America" (later discussed as 'Scouting America' in committee but placed in the bill as Boy Scouts of America in order to match federal code references) was proposed; the sponsor called that change "not a friendly amendment" but it was offered, debated and ultimately approved by the committee. After the amendment carried, the committee approved the amended bill and moved it forward with a do‑pass recommendation.

Members said they supported the underlying goal of allowing students to participate in civic and leadership programs at the capitol but discussed the trade‑offs of keeping the bill narrowly tailored versus expanding it now to avoid perceived 'winners and losers.' The amended bill will be forwarded to rules.