| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 2/15/2008 11:32:46 AM Home School Legal Defense Association Virginia--Legislative Update |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== Virginia--Legislative Update Dear HSLDA Members and Friends: Much of the action on bills of interest to homeschool families has now shifted to the Senate. NEW ASSESSMENT OPTIONS H.B. 1183. Filed by Del. Scott Lingamfelter at HSLDA's request, this bill will add new year-end assessments. It passed the House by a wide margin and now awaits committee action in the Senate. PARENT-TAUGHT DRIVER'S ED H.B. 1540. This bill would have transferred the responsibility for all driver's ed programs to the Department of Motor Vehicles--and inadvertently repealed all provisions allowing homeschool parents to teach driver's ed to their own children. We contacted the bill's sponsor, who immediately recognized our concerns. He has withdrawn the bill. LEARNER'S PERMIT--ATTENDANCE RED TAPE H.B. 438. HSLDA called the office of the sponsor, Del. J.H. Miller, and explained that this was a bad bill because it manipulated learner's permits to try to improve school attendance, and could lead to a dramatic increase in red tape for homeschool families. The delegate proceeded with the bill. On February 7, however, the House Transportation Subcommittee Number 3 vote to "continue" the bill until next year, effectively ending the threat this year. TAX CREDITS H.B. 420. Failed in committee. Would have provided tax credits for homeschoolers of up to $2,000. H.B. 1164. Sponsored by Del. Chris Saxman, this bill passed the full house on a 50-48 vote February 12 and now awaits committee action in the Senate. This bill would create a tuition scholarship-tax credit program that would help many students, including homeschoolers. A similar law was enacted in Arizona several years ago and has been operating smoothly. HPV VACCINATIONS H.B. 188. During the national stampede last year to impose mandatory immunization on girls for HPV (human papillomavirus--a sexually transmitted disease), new evidence suddenly emerged throwing significant doubt on the claims the vaccine manufacturer had made. Bills in states that had previously looked likely to pass either failed to pass or were withdrawn. Virginia was the only state to actually pass an HPV bill. H.B. 188 delays the effective date of last year's bill so we can take more time to see if the vaccine's claims are legitimate. The bill passed the House January 21 and is awaiting committee action in the senate. HSLDA supports this bill, which is sponsored by Del. Robert Marshall, although we do not support mandatory HPV vaccinations. HOMESCHOOL "OPTION" REVISION H.B. 767. This bill makes some relatively minor changes to the homeschool "options.", i.e., what a family is required to show when fling their notice of intent. This bill was drafted by the Department of Education, with comments by HSLDA and the other state homeschool organizations. While this bill was designed to streamline the Department of Education's administrative responsibilities, its effect will overall be positive for homeschoolers, and HSLDA supports it. This bill passed the House on January 24 by a wide margin and awaits committee action in the Senate. SOCIAL WORKERS FILING LAWSUITS AGAINST PARENTS H.B. 1382 and S.B. 788. Social services departments are chronic violators of the constitutional rights of citizens, both parents and children, often brazenly claiming that they are above the U.S. Constitution. As originally drafted, this bill would have made it easier for them to violate citizens' rights by allowing non-attorney employees to initiate court actions against parents--including asking for a court order to take children out of their home. HSLDA called bill sponsors and pointed out the serious problems this bill would cause. One sponsor initially gave us a long list of organizations and government departments that had already approved the bill and questioned the need for any change. HSLDA asked homeschool families to make calls to underline the urgent need for amending the bill. We called the Virginia Bar Association and explained that this bill would allow non-attorneys to practice law. A representative of the Attorney General's office subsequently called and agreed the bill needed to be changed. The sponsors subsequently agreed to the amendments we requested. H.B. 1382 and its counterpart in the senate, S.B. 788 have now been amended, and we no longer oppose them. Thank you for standing with us for freedom. Scott A. Woodruff HSLDA Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> You can get a little latte or a lotta legal. With our new payment options, you can join HSLDA for as little as $9/month, less than the price of a cup of coffee a week. 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