House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

I am preparing to introduce legislation that will amend the Public Welfare Code in order to provide a more stable education for children who are removed from their homes.

When a child is removed from his home, he is often in several different placements, often in separate school districts, before he is able to go home or find a stable situation. Being moved through several new schools can compound the effects that being put into out-of-home placement already have on a child. Whenever possible, it makes sense to allow the child to remain in his original school with his friends and teachers.

To ensure that children who have been removed from their homes are not needlessly moved from school to school, my legislation would require county Children and Youth Agencies to plan for a child’s educational stability. Children would be allowed to remain in their current school, unless it is impractical, or it is not in the best interest of the child (as determined by a court). If it is not possible for a child to remain in his current school, the child will be immediately enrolled in an appropriate new school. School districts would not be allowed to refuse children who have been placed outside of the district, but should remain enrolled in a district school for purposes of educational stability.

I hope that you will join me by cosponsoring this legislation.

NOTE: This legislation is identical to prior session 2011/12 HB 2501

Previous Co-Sponsors: MOUL, CALTAGIRONE, DAVIS, GEIST, GOODMAN, GROVE, HARPER, HESS, HORNAMAN, KORTZ, MANN, MILLER, MURT, PICKETT, SAYLOR AND TOOHIL