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House Bill ("HB") 2197 would define a child who is habitually absent from school without good cause to be a "neglected child." Two similar bills, SB 404 and HB 2765 are also moving through the legislature.
Truancy laws are already adequate to handle absence from school and families should not be at risk of having their children taken away just for missing school. This would affect any family that wants to withdraw their child from school immediately but would risk “habitual truancy” if they chose not to abide by the 14 day waiting period in the homeschool law. HSLDA believes that any waiting period is unconstitutional.
Please contact members of the House Education Committees and give them the following messages in your own words:
“I am calling to oppose HB 2197. HB 2197 defines habitual school absences as a form of child neglect. This bill conflates truancy and neglect and allows for parents to be charged with neglect and possibly lose their children just because they are missing school. Truancy issues can often be the result of misunderstandings or miscommunication and escalating the issue to an accusation of neglect is unwarranted. Truancy should not be presumed to be neglect. This bill did not proceed last year after being studied and should not move forward this year. Please vote against HB 2197.”
Please contact the members according to your last name below and also your own Delegate! To find out whom your delegate is you can visit this link: Find your Delegate
If your last name begins with A–F, please contact these Delegates concerning HB 2197:
Delegate Mary M. Poling, Chair
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3265
E-mail: mary.poling@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Josh Stowers, Vice Chair
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3337
E-mail: josh.stowers@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Amanda Pasdon, Minority Chair
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3153
E-mail: amanda@amandapasdon.com
Delegate Linda Sumner, Minority Vice Chair
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3180
E-mail: linda.sumner@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Anthony Barill
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3173
E-mail: anthony.barill@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Jason Barrett
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3188
E-mail: jason.barrett@wvhouse.gov
If your last name begins with G–L, please contact these Delegates concerning HB 2197:
Delegate Denise L. Campbell
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3145
E-mail: denise.campbell@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Ron Fragale
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3102
E-mail: ron.fragale@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Tiffany Elizabeth Lawrence
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3152
E-mail: lawrencefordelegate@hotmail.com
Delegate David G. Perry
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3269
E-mail: d.perry@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Dave Pethtel
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3158
E-mail: dave.pethtel@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Ted Tomblin
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3297
E-mail: ted.tomblin@wvhouse.gov
If your last name begins with M–R, please contact these Delegates concerning HB 2197:
Delegate David Walker
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3135
E-mail: david.walker@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Larry A. Williams
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3160
E-mail: larry.williams@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Adam R. Young
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3352
E-mail: adam.young@wvhouse.gov
Delegate George Ambler
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3129
E-mail: george.ambler@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Jim Butler
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3199
E-mail: jim.butler@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Roy Cooper
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3119
E-mail: roy.cooper@wvhouse.gov
If your last name begins with S–Z, please contact these Delegates concerning HB 2197:
Delegate Paul Espinosa
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3130
E-mail: paul.espinosa@wvhouse.gov
Delegate David A. Evans
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3151
E-mail: david.evans@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Danny Hamrick
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3141
E-mail: danny.hamrick@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Suzette Raines
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3340
E-mail: suzette.raines@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Ruth Rowan
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3157
E-mail: ruth.rowan@wvhouse.gov
Delegate Steve Westfall
Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3140
E-mail: steve.westfall@wvhouse.gov
| 2/13/2013 | (House) | Introduced and Referred to Education Committee |
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