1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

Veto HB2600. This bill would require written parental permission for students in grades 6-8 to participate in any school club or organization, creating barriers that will harm vulnerable kids and undermine existing federal protections. Sponsored by Matt Gress, HB2600 targets clubs like Gender & Sexuality Alliances, which provide legally protected safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth under the Equal Access Act. These student-led groups offer critical support during a developmental period when many young people are navigating their identities. Forcing parental permission slips will prevent students who most need these communities from accessing them, particularly those whose home environments are unsupportive or hostile. This mandate also punishes students whose parents work multiple jobs, lack reliable transportation, or face language barriers that make navigating school paperwork difficult. Middle schoolers shouldn't be excluded from debate club, environmental groups, or peer mentoring because their parents couldn't sign a form. HB2600 will deepen educational inequity while solving no actual problem. Arizona students deserve access to the full range of school activities that help them grow, connect, and thrive. Veto this bill.