House Bill 1223: Compulsory School Attendance Age Increase

Sponsors:
Del. Aisha N. Braveboy

Summary:
This bill would raise the compulsory school attendance age in Maryland from 16 to 17. Homeschoolers may be told that this won’t affect them because the bill contains language stating that the change does not apply to students receiving regular, thorough instruction.

However, this “exemption” is meaningless. While a 16-year-old student may be technically exempt from the compulsory attendance requirement, this exemption is lost as soon as the student stops homeschooling. This means that homeschoolers would be required to keep schooling until 17 just like any other student.

Update: This bill has been favorably amended to remove the language that would change the compulsory attendance age. If the bill remains unchanged, HSLDA will not oppose it further.

Status:

2/13/2009		(House) First Reading Ways and Means
2/18/2009		(House) Hearing 3/17 at 1:00 p.m.
4/6/2009		(House) Favorable with Amendments Report Adopted - Second Reading Passed with Amendments
4/8/2009		(House) Third Reading Passed (135-2)
4/8/2009		(Senate) First Reading Senate Rules
4/11/2009		(House) Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means
4/13/2009		(Senate) Re-referred Education Health and Environmental Affairs - Favorable Report by Education Health and Environmental Affairs

The legislature has adjourned without passing this bill; it is now dead.

HSLDA's Position:
Oppose!

Action Requested:
None at this time.

Other Resources

E-lert—3/13/2009—Maryland: Calls Needed to Oppose Discriminatory Compulsory Attendance Bills.

Bill Text   (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)