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every child. one voice.
September 14, 2004
The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor
First Floor, State Capitol
Sacramento, California 95814
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:
RE: SUPPORT AB 1012 (Steinberg)
We wrote to you earlier this year, on February 12th to urge you to support AB 1012, which facilitates parental rights in student interrogations. Once again, we are speaking in favor of this bill, on behalf of the over 5,000 PTA members at eight local schools here in Pleasanton.
We believe that every child is entitled to a safe and positive school climate, which includes providing for the emotional safety of the students. If interrogation of a child is necessary, we believe that efforts should be made to ensure that the child is questioned in a manner appropriate to his/her age and/or level of maturity. We agree with the provisions in this bill, which would require that, before making an elementary school student available to police for interrogation on campus, principals must ask permission from the parent and allow the parent to be present during questioning. Similarly, at the high school level, the student must be told that they may choose to have a parent or a member of the school staff present during questioning.
We urge you to sign AB 1012 to protect the rights of students and parents.
Sincerely,
Debbie Look
President
Cc: California State PTA Legislative Office (FAX 916-442-0906)