| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 4/2/2012 12:15:43 PM Scott Woodruff--HSLDA Maryland: Continue Opposing SB 362, HB 373--Amendments in Progress |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== SB 362, HB 373 Amendments in Progress: Continue Opposing Dear Maryland HSLDA Members and Friends, HB 373 and SB 362 continue to threaten to expand the ending age for compulsory attendance from the 16th birthday to the 18th. We urge families to continue opposing the bills as previously recommended to protect your freedom to decide what is best for your older teen. Two other harmful features of the bills have been--or should soon be--removed. We received word on Friday that a significant amendment has been made to HB 373. The phrase "...including home schooling under COMAR..." has been removed from both sections of the bill. With this good amendment, HB 373 no longer threatens to give the Board of Education unlimited power to regulate homeschooling. With the amendment, the bill makes no changes to the legal framework for homeschooling that has existed for many years. Also, a discriminatory feature of HB 373 has been removed. Previously, the bill's graduation exception unfairly only allowed holders of a GED or a "Maryland high school diploma" to be excused. With this helpful amendment, a student who has completed a program of regular, thorough instruction will have the same opportunity as others to be excused from further compulsory attendance. Jackie Lichter, Senior Policy Advisor for Speaker Michael Busch, has assured us that SB 362 will be amended in the House of Delegates just the same as HB 373 has already been amended. While this would remove two harmful features of the bill, it would leave the fundamental problem: the bill takes away the freedom of parents to decide what path is best for their older teen. HB 373 failed to emerge from its house committee by the legislative crossover date, so it should be dead, according to the procedural rules of the House of Delegates. However, the fact that the bill continues to receive legislative attention hints that some delegates may try to suspend the rules. This could allow the bill to continue to move forward. When you communicate with your delegates, simply focus on the issue of raising the compulsory age in both bills. With the amendments that have taken place or probably will, it is no longer necessary to talk to your delegates about the impact of either of the bills on the legal framework for homeschooling. We have been told that spoken testimony will not be allowed at the hearing on SB 362 this Wednesday, April 4 (1 PM in Room 130, House Office Building, Annapolis). But even without a word spoken, your presence will send a powerful message! Thank you for standing with HSLDA for freedom in Maryland! Scott A. Woodruff, Esq. 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