Defining the "P's" in the Legislation Program

PPLP (Preliminary Proposed Legislation Program). The Virginia PTA Legislation Committee develops the PPLP based on suggestions received from PTA members, actions taken by the General Assembly, and PTA convention resolutions. Copies of the PPLP are mailed to each local unit, council, and district by April 1. PTA members have an opportunity to comment and suggest changes to the draft program at District workshops held across the state or by mail to the legislation chairman. Many ideas are generated at these meetings and it is recommended that your PTA be in attendance. The Virginia PTA Board of Managers discusses and votes on each item or change in the program at a public hearing in May. When they approve the program we lose a "P" and it then becomes the PLP (Proposed Legislation Program) 

PLP (Proposed Legislation Program). During the summer, local units receive their copy of the PLP and ballot to copy for later voting by their PTA members. Each PTA District in the state will hold a meeting in the fall to discuss the proposed program, but no changes can be made to the PLP at this point. To better understand the program local units should send several persons to this meeting. Local unit presidents should make information concerning the proposed program available to the general membership. Every local PTA in the state will vote on the proposed program and send a tally sheet to their District Director by October 31. Legislators want to know how many PTA members voted in their district so it is important that as many PTA members as possible be given the opportunity to vote. Results of voting are announced at the annual state PTA convention in November. We lose another "P" when those items in the PLP that had more "yes" votes than "no" votes are joined with convention resolutions with legislative intent to become part of our LP (Legislation Program). 

LP (Legislation Program). The LP is our official position on a wide variety of issues affecting children and youth. It forms the basis for official testimony by the PTA at legislative and public hearings and before other agencies. As a PTA member you may cite these positions when contacting a legislator about a bill that falls within the scope of our Legislation Program. You may also adopt and support items not in the Virginia PTA Legislation Program as long as they don't conflict with the LP. Be sure your unit has voted on the issue and use the name of your PTA and not the Virginia PTA.
So now you know where all the "P's" went.

Written by
Dianne Seargent
Past Legislation Chair
Virginia PTA