Now those opponents, and his supporters, can finally examine not just Buttars' public comments but the text of the legislation.
SB97, released Wednesday, is a bit broader than a gay clubs ban.
The bill directs school boards and administrators to "limit or deny" clubs that encourage criminal or delinquent conduct, promote bigotry or involve human sexuality.
Buttars has said his primary aim is to rid Utah schools of the 14 gay-straight alliances, the most recent forming at Provo High. He considers these organizations "conditioning clubs" that promote homosexuality. He has the backing of the Eagle Forum, a conservative lobbying group that focuses on moral issues.
The bill defines the phrase "involve human sexuality" to mean any club that encourages students to label themselves either gay or straight, disclose opinions about sexual orientation, advocate premarital sex or discuss contraceptives.
SB97 allows administrators broad discretion to select which clubs can meet on school grounds as it includes a provision to "protect the physical, emotional, psychological or moral well-being of the students or faculty."
The bill requires each club to have a faculty adviser and each student must obtain parental consent before joining.
The full text of the bill is available on the Legislature's Web site at www.le.state.ut.us.
mcanham@sltrib.com
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Tribune reporter Celia Baker contributed to this article.
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