Virginia PTA Legislation Program

An annual legislation program is developed by the state Legislation Committee and adopted by the membership to represent the 'official' position of the Virginia PTA on a wide variety of issues affecting children and youth. The purpose of the Legislation Program is based on the 'third purpose of PTA' which states "To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth". While PTA is political, it is also nonpartisan. We support or oppose legislation, not candidates or parties. The legislation program is a year-round activity, not only addressing issues at the state level, but also assisting units in addressing their local issues.

The program consists of legislative action items and policy statements. Position statements that have been approved in the past and convention resolutions automatically become a part of the program.
The program is the basis for official testimony by the PTA at legislative hearings and before other agencies. Statements can be cited by a PTA member when contacting a legislator about a bill that falls within the scope of the program. The Virginia PTA has a long record of success with the annual Legislation Programs. 

Local Units and Councils can support legislative items not in the program as long as they do not conflict with the VA PTA program. Supports must identify their local unit or council support and not use the Virginia PTA/PTSA name.

Local Unit Focus: 
Familiarization with the Virginia PTA Legislation Program, monitoring School Board and City Council/Board of Supervisors meetings, attending state convention, Leadership Training, District Legislation meetings and workshops, and contacting legislators.