HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

37

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND BOARD OF EDUCATION TO HELP PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND LIABILITIES OF PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS AND PARENT-TEACHER GROUPS.

 

 

WHEREAS, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) and Parent-Teacher Groups (PTG) enrich the learning environment by being involved in and contributing to the education of the students, but not without responsibilities and potential liabilities; and

WHEREAS, while they are not-for-profit organizations, PTAs and PTGs are legal business entities that are accountable for their actions, in general, like any other legal business entity; and

WHEREAS, in cases where PTA or PTG moneys, such as proceeds from a PTA or PTG fundraiser, are mishandled, the individual who mishandled the money may be liable to the rest of the PTA or PTG for the lost amount, but other PTA or PTG members would not necessarily be personally responsible to anyone because the lost money was originally the PTA's or PTG's; and

WHEREAS, to protect themselves from these kinds of situations, PTAs and PTGs may wish to obtain bonds; and

WHEREAS, the national PTA organization offers insurance plans that, among other things, provide bonds to cover embezzlement, robbery, and theft by any person in the individual PTA organization who is entrusted with money, including officers, directors, and volunteers; and

WHEREAS, independent insurance carriers carry the same type of insurance for PTGs; and

WHEREAS, these insurance plans may also cover PTA and PTG liability for injuries occurring at PTA or PTG functions; and

WHEREAS, although PTA and PTG members must pay for the insurance premiums because the State does not provide state funds for this purpose, insurance coverage would protect the assets of the PTA or PTG, and the personal assets of their members; and

WHEREAS, parents should be made aware of their responsibilities and liabilities as members of PTAs or PTGs, including the kinds of protection that can be afforded them; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that the Department of Education and Board of Education are urged to help parents understand the responsibilities and liabilities of Parent-Teacher Associations and Parent-Teacher Groups, including:

(1) Providing informational pamphlets; and

(2) Explaining how obtaining bonds or insurance can help protect the assets of a PTA or PTG, and the personal assets of the members;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education, the Superintendent of Education, the President of the Hawaii State Parent Teacher Student Association, and the Parent-Teacher Associations, Parent-Teacher Groups, or Parent Teacher Student Associations at each public school in Hawaii.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS AND PARENT-TEACHER GROUPS