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Parental leave advances after modification

By Berny Morson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published February 6, 2009 at 12:05 a.m.

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Employers would be required to let workers take time off to meet with their children's teachers under a bill approved Thursday in the House Education Committee.

But as amended, HB 1057 would apply only to firms with 50 or more employees. The bill originally applied to employers with as few as 10 workers.

The leave would be unpaid or workers could elect to take vacation or sick leave.

The vote on the bill was 7-6.

The measure drew strong support from parents and teachers in testimony two weeks ago. But equally strong opposition came from leaders of small businesses who said their firms can't operate efficiently when workers take time off in the middle of the day.

The amendment raising the threshold to 50 workers followed negotiations between business groups and the bill sponsor, Rep. Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood.

Rep. Christine Scanlan, D-Dillon, who voted for the bill, said most firms already let parents meet with teachers. But, she said, "There are bad actors out there in the business community, and that's who this legislation is aimed at."

But Rep. Ken Summers, R-Lakewood, asked, "Should the state of Colorado write the personnel policies for every business in the state?" He opposed the measure.

Parents also got a break in the Senate Education Committee, which passed SB 90 by Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Arvada. It allows parents to make up a larger part of school district accountability committees.

The bill also establishes a statewide panel to explore ways to increase parental involvement in schools.

Key provisions

of HB 1057 allowing parents to take leave to visit their children's teachers:

* Applies to firms with 50 or more employees.

* Leave could be used for regular parent-teacher conferences; to devise an individualized program for a special education child; a drop-out prevention meeting; or sessions related to discipline, truancy/attendance.

* Parents would have to give employers a week's notice, or as soon as possible in emergencies.

* Parents would have up to 18 hours a year for visits, to be in three-hour increments.

* What's next: The bill goes to the House floor.