Colorado: Ken Summers

Employers would be required to let workers take time off to meet with their children's teachers under a bill approved Thursday in the House Education Committee.

But as amended, HB 1057 would apply only to firms with 50 or more employees. The bill originally applied to employers with as few as 10 workers.

The leave would be unpaid or workers could elect to take vacation or sick leave.

The vote on the bill was 7-6.

The measure drew strong support from parents and teachers in testimony two weeks ago. But equally strong opposition came from leaders of small businesses who said their firms can't operate efficiently when workers take time off in the middle of the day.