HB 1057 passes on 2nd reading in the Senate

DENVER—  Research shows that when parents are involved in their kids’ education, they have higher grades, test scores and graduation rates. Twelve other states have parental involvement laws, and recent polling shows that 69% of Colorado adults support the idea of ensuring unpaid leave.  HB 1057, sponsored by Senator Bob Bacon (D-Fort Collins) in the Senate, passed 2nd reading today.
HB 1057 would allow workers to take 18 hours of unpaid leave during the academic year to attend parent teacher conferences, drop-out prevention programs or disciplinary issues without worrying about losing their jobs.  This bill would only apply to businesses with 50 or more employees and businesses where the leave would not endanger others’ health or safety (eg. people in the medical/ health care fields) and the employee would need to give their employer one week’s notice.

Sen. Bob Bacon is the Senate sponsor of the bill.  “The business community has recognized that workers who are good citizens as well as capable workers are good for business.  This bill isn’t just about parents, or schools, or kids.  This bill is about helping our entire society,” said Sen. Bacon.  “We’ve heard in so many places that businesses need to have an educated work force.  This is a small step to nurture the education of the youngsters.   In addition, smart  citizens and an effective work force greatly helps down the road in reducing other costs, like prisons or unemployment.”

Senator Evie Hudak  (D-Westminster) has worked in education for the last 20 years and has been on the state PTA Board of Directors for the last 15 years.  She voted to support HB 1057: “When there are meetings in the school determining the future of the child, whether it’s for special education, individual education plans, or a disciplinary meeting or to talk about how the student is doing and whether he or she will pass, the parents need to be there.  Parents need to and want to be involved in those conversations.  If we don’t get the parents’ input on plans for their kids, they’re going to fail in school.  That puts a huge burden on their future and our entire society.   Parental involvement is vitally important to the success of kids in schools.”
Representatives Andy Kerr, Terrance Carroll, and Dennis Apuan are the House Sponsors.
HB 1057 will be on 3rd and final reading in the Senate tomorrow.