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HOMESCHOOL RELATED LEGISLATION
2009: SB 41 - Higher Education Tuition Charges
UPDATE: This bill died in the Senate.
Hand In Hand has already been in contact with Senator Harrington to discuss this bill. Sen. Harrington said,
"In no way do I think that home school children should NOT receive state tuition benefits."
Nonetheless, the wording in the bill was not adusted prior to the Senate convening. Your help is needed to contact
committee members immediately to change the language of the bill before it is voted on by the committee.
This bill seeks to enlarge the definition of who is eligible to pay in-state tuition to public institutions of
higher learning. Currently, the language of the bill requires a student to (1) be enrolled in a public or nonpublic school for
two years prior to enrollment in college; and (2) to have received a diploma or GED.
Get the latest update on SB 41.
Facts: The current language in this bill inadvertantly EXCLUDES homeschoolers as eligible for
in-state tuition at public colleges and univerisities.
Status: Referred to the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs. The committee meeting for
Jan. 27 was cancelled.
What You Can Do: Send a letter, e-mail or call the sponsor of this bill, Senator Harrington,
to express your concern with the current language in this bill.
Use or adapt Hand In Hand's form letter to share your opinion about this bill.
2009: HB 694 - Education - Special Education Services - Children in a Home School Setting
UPDATE: This bill died in the House.
This bill would require that a homeschool child with a disability be given the same consideration as a child with a
disability in a private school setting for the purpose of distributing Federal set-aside funds for special educational
services.
Get the latest update on HB 694.
Status: Referred to the House Ways and Means committee.
LEGISLATION of Interest to Kids
2009: SB 98 - Motor Vehicles - Use of Text Messaging Device While Driving - Prohibition
UPDATE: This bill was passed by both the House and Senate.
This bill prohibits a person from using a text messaging device to write, send, or read a text message
while operating a motor vehicle.
Get the latest update on SB 98.
Status: Referred to the Senate Judicial Proceedings committee.
What You Can Do: This update is being provided to you for informational purposes only and
for the opportunity to use Maryland's legislative process as a real-life learning opportunity with your children.
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GENERAL EDUCATION RELATED LEGISLATION
2009: SB 139, SB 903, HB 505 - Education - High School Assessment Requirement
UPDATE: These bills died in their respective houses after receiving an unfavorable committee report.
This bill would prohibit the State Board of Education from including the passing of statewide, mandatory
curriculum-based examinations or assessment as a public high school graduation requirement.
Get the latest update on SB 139.
Facts: This bill would reverse a current regulation that requires public high school students to take
and pass four High School Assessment exams in order to receive a State issued diploma.
Status: Referred to the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs committee.
What You Can Do: Send a letter, e-mail or call the Senate Committee in support of eliminating the HSA
testing requirement, which affects homeschoolers ONLY if they decide to enroll in public high school.
2009: SB 689 - High School and High School Students - Options for Accelerated Graduation
UPDATE: This bill was unanimously passed by the Senate and House.
This bill requires MSDE to conduct a study to identify examinations that allow students to earn substitute credits
for English 12 and Algebra 2 in order to accelerate a student's graudation from high school.
Get the latest update on SB 689.
Status: Referred to the Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs committee.
2009: HB 1543 - Education - Public Schools - Virtual Schools
UPDATE: This bill died in the House.
This bill authorizes MSDE or county school boards to establish a virtual school that would function as a
public school and be subject to applicable public school laws and regulations.
Get the latest update on HB 1543.
Status: Referred to the House Ways and Means committee.
2009: SB 241 - Education - Suspension and Expulsion Procedures - Attendance-Related Offenses
UPDATE: This bill was passed with amendments.
This bill would prohibit a principal from suspending or expelling a student from school solely for attendance
related offenses.
Get the latest update on SB 241.
Facts: This bill would limit disciplinary action that a principal could take with a student
who misses too much school.
Status: Referred to the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs committee.
What You Can Do: Send a letter, e-mail or call the Senate Committee in support of prohibiting principals
from handing out harsh punishment for excessive absences.
2009: HB 20 - Intellectual Disability (Rosa's Law)
UPDATE: This bill was unanimously passed by both House and Senate and signed into law by the Governor on April 14.
This bill seeks to change references to mental retardation to an intellectual disability, as well as alter other
existing definitions.
Get the latest update on HB 20.
Facts: This bill appears to only modify language to be more sensitive to current nomenclature within
special education.
Status: Referred to the House Government Operations committee for a hearing on January 27 at 1:00pm.
What You Can Do: Send a letter, e-mail or call the House Committee in support of the change in
language used to identify individuals with an intellectual disability.
2009: SB 103 - Vehicle Laws - Use of Handheld Telephone While Driving - Prohibitions
UPDATE: This bill died in the Senate after receiving an unfavorable Senate committee report.
This bill would prohibit drivers of a school vehicle from using a cell phone under specified cricumstances. The
bill also has prohibitions on cell phone use for individuals who have a provisional license, as well as adults
with a full license.
Get the latest update on SB 103.
Facts: This bill appears to be broadly written effecting three separate classes of people.
Status: Referred to the Senate Judical Proceedings.
What You Can Do: Send a letter, e-mail or call the Senate Committee in support of prohibiting
drivers of school vehicles from using cell phones while they are transporting chidren.
2009: HB 205 - Education - Public Schools - Mandatory School Uniforms
UPDATE: This bill died in the House after receiving an unfavorable House committee report.
This bill would require each county board of education to develop a county school uniform policy for
students attending public school.
Get the latest update on HB 205.
Facts: This bill does not appear to have any educational value, though it could be argued that
it would reduce disciplinary problems and reduce distractions within the classroom.
Status: Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.
What You Can Do: This bill is being presented to you for informational purposes only. You may
contact the bill's sponsors and the House Committee members to express your thoughts as you see fit.
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