February 10, 2006

AFHE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE RE: SB 1527

There is a bill before the Senate Education committee this coming Wednesday 2/15/06 known as SB 1527. This bill, if passed by both the Senate and House and signed into law, would amend ARS 15-802 to allow a 16 year-old to self-enroll in a public school without the consent of their parent. AFHE opposes this bill because we believe that parents should have the authority to direct the education of their minor children.

This bill was sponsored by Senator Hale from District 2 which includes Flagstaff, and the Hualapai, Havasupai, Hopi, Navajo, and San Juan Southern Piute nations. He sponsored this bill in response to a situation on one of the reservations where a 16 year old was prevented from enrolling in school due to the substance abuse and incapacity of his parent. We do not believe that he intended to erode a parent's right to homeschool or direct their child's education.

AFHE, in conjunction with the Center for Arizona Policy, has been actively working with the members of the Senate Education Committee to come up with an amendment to make this bill acceptable or, if necessary, to kill the bill. We will inform our membership at the first moment should we feel any action is necessary on your part in terms of e-mails and phone calls.

Carol Shippy, AFHE Legislative Liaison
on behalf of the AFHE Board of Directors

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