A. The board of education of any school district may, under such regulations and conditions as it may prescribe, encourage increased community involvement in the public schools. These regulations and conditions may include:

1. Open any school building and permit the use of any property belonging to such district for religious, political, literary, community, cultural, scientific, mechanical, agricultural or parental involvement purposes, and other purposes of general public interest including the provision of public library services pursuant to agreements with governing boards or commissions of public libraries or library systems;

2. Contract to provide transportation equipment as defined in Section 9-104 of this title for any purpose specified in paragraph 1 of this subsection; and

3. Make a reasonable charge to cover the cost of the use of such building, property or transportation equipment.

B. The State Board of Education shall encourage each board of education to inquire into and promote the use of its school buildings and property for the purposes provided in subsection A of this section for such activities both before and after regular school hours.

C. Any youth group listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society shall be allowed the use of any school building or property to provide services allowing students to participate in activities provided by the groups at times other than instructional time during the school day.

Added by Laws 1971, c. 281, § 5-130, eff. July 2, 1971. Amended by Laws 1989, c. 30, § 1, emerg. eff. April 4, 1989; Laws 1989, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 2, § 33, emerg. eff. April 25, 1990; Laws 1990, c. 257, § 4, emerg. eff. May 23, 1990; Laws 1994, c. 362, § 5, eff. July 1, 1994; Laws 2017, c. 176, § 2.