Senate Bill 857 (Senate Version of H.B. 1223): Compulsory School Attendance Age Increase

Sponsors:
Senators Pugh and McFadden

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.

Status:

2/6/2009		(Senate) First Reading Education Health and Environmental Affairs
2/11/2009		(Senate) Hearing 3/17 at 1:00 p.m.
3/23/2009		(Senate) Unfavorable 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

Bill Text   (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)