Huff sponsored bill would require school boards to allow public comments

School boards across Kentucky could soon be required to set time aside for public comments during meetings thanks to a bill co-sponsored by 82^nd Rep. Regina Huff, R-Williamsburg.

The Kentucky House of Representatives passed HB 121 on Feb. 2 by a vote of 66-24, which is aimed at giving parents more access and input in their children’s education.

“As a retired teacher, my first obligation is to learners of all ages. Parents are paying more attention than ever to education and many issues are bubbling up concerns,” said Huff, the House Education Committee Chair. “I believe parents should be involved and have more say in their kid’s education. They deserve to be a voice at the forefront of these conversations – point-blank.”

Huff’s legislation seeks to shore up the state’s education law which currently allows boards of education to curtail public comments at their meetings. The bill ensures that at least 15 minutes – or until comments end – at each meeting is open for community members to provide input. The requirement can be passed over if there are no requests to participate by the start of the comment period.

“A majority of our school leaders encourage parental involvement and already welcome community input, but there are always bad actors with misguided policies. My bill is about empowering parents and students, especially when it comes to classroom issues like curriculum or how to combat the pandemic,” added Huff.

Members of the House Majority Caucus continue to underscore the stance of bringing decisions to the local level, where communities have a stronger voice in policies that impact their children, health, and livelihoods, according to a release by the Kentucky House Republican Caucus.

HB 121 is now in the Senate for consideration, and was assigned to the education committee on Monday.

For more information on the measure, visit the Legislative Research Commission at https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/22rs/hb121.html.

The bill is co-sponsored by 49^th Rep. Thomas Huff, R-Shepherdsville, and 24^th Rep. Brandon Reed, R-Hodgenville.