Day 24 - 2/28/2006

>> Back to Week Seven, Feb. 27 - Mar. 3

Legislators Return after Break; Amy’s Law Passes Senate

SB 522, known as Amy's Law, passed the Senate.  It amends current law regarding handling of juvenile offenses which if committed by an adult, could be punishable by death or a life sentence. Allows for longer periods of commitment up until the child's 21st birthday.

SB 413 also passed the Senate.  It requires parental permission for a student age 16-18 to drop out of school.  It was amended on the floor to require parental permission for students to join clubs.

The House Education Committee favorably reported HB 1358 dealing with class size.  It also passed SB 468  providing for bonus payments to high-performing principals who agree to serve in troubled schools.

The Senate Education and Youth Committee held a hearing on SB 430 requiring parental permission for mental health screening of students.  Counselors and advocates expressed concern that the definition of mental health screening is too broad so that ordinary conversations between teachers or counselors and students would be affected.  The committee took no action, but may work on the bill next week.

Coming events:

Wednesday, March 1st

House Children and Youth, 2:00 p.m., Room 606 CLOB – Presentations on the 2007 DCH and DHR budgets by House budget staff.

House Judiciary Non-Civil, 2:00 p,m. or adjournment, Room 132 CAP – HB 987 (Juvenile court concurrent jurisdiction for adoptions)

Thursday, March 2nd 

House Appropriations Health Subcommittee, 4:00 p.m., Room 341 CAP - Vote on 2007 budget