How the Legislation Program is Developed

After each session of the General Assembly, the state PTA Legislation Committee drafts a preliminary program based on suggestions received from PTA members and other organizations, action taken by the General Assembly, and convention resolutions from the past four years. The preliminary proposed program is mailed to each local unit, council and district. PTA members have an opportunity to comment on the draft program at District workshops in the spring or by mail to the state legislation chairman before the Board of Managers consider it. The Board discusses the draft at a public session during its spring meeting, and approves a proposed program, which is sent to all local unit presidents.
Program Content

LEGISLATIVE ACTION ITEMS are requests for the introduction, passage or defeat of specific legislation by the General Assembly and/or regulations by the Board of Education or other appropriate agencies.

POLICY STATEMENTS are statements of the Virginia PTA on general issues. They may be used as the basis for addressing issues in the General Assembly, Board of Education or other appropriate agencies. Policy statements can also be used as a basis for the Board of Managers to develop specific positions on issues that may arise.

POSITION STATEMENTS represent continuing concerns of the Virginia PTA and shall be reviewed annually by the Legislation Committee. The Virginia PTA has voted on these statements in the past.

CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS are resolutions passed at the annual Virginia PTA Convention and remain in effect for four years. After four years they are presented for reaffirmation, included in policy statements or position statements, or discarded if action on the resolution has been completed.