Day 23 - 2/23/2006

>> Back to Week Six, Feb. 20 - Feb. 24

House and Senate Pass Child-Related Bills, Then Adjourn Until Tuesday

After receiving final approval from the Senate, SB 390 requiring that 65% of school funding be used in the classroom is on its way to Gov. Perdue for his signature.  The House passed HB 1023 on the minimum age for marriage, eliminating the pregnancy exception for marrying without parental consent, while establishing a procedure by which a 16 or 17 year old may petition the court for permission to marry.  It also passed HB 1145 dealing with situations where a juvenile court must determine a child's competency.  The Senate passed SB 316 setting penalties for furnishing obscene materials to a child electronically.

After a lengthy hearing, the House Human Relations and Aging Committee recommended passage of HR 1345, the proposed constitutional amendment to allow public funds to go directly to faith-based organizations.  Attempts to table the bill and to offer a substitute prohibiting school vouchers failed.

The General Assembly is in recess until Tuesday, February 28th.

Tuesday, February 28th

Both Houses convene at 10:00 a.m.

The Senate plans to take up SB 522 (Amy's Law) and SB 413 on compulsory school attendance.