SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1156

BYRepresentatives Holland, Schoon, Horn, Rasmussen and May

Clarifying provisions relating to eighteen year old high school students' residence for the purpose of school assignment.

House Committe on Education

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 27, 1989

Senate Staff:Susan Finkel (786-7483)

AS OF MARCH 16, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In a recent court case a student, on turning 18 during the school year, elected to move from his parents' home and get an apartment.  The apartment was within the attendance area of another high school.  The student enrolled in the new attendance area.  The school district objected saying that the school had the authority to determine which school a person shall attend.  The student filed suit and a judge ruled that, because the student was 18 and an adult, he had the right to choose where he lived.  Since the district had no policy in place, the residence of the student controls and he must be enrolled in the new school.

SUMMARY:

If a student reaches the age of 18 during the school year and the student is enrolled in school for that year using that student's parents' address for establishing residence for the purpose of school assignment, the student's residence shall be determined by the address of the student's parents for the remainder of the school year.  Exceptions may be granted by the resident district superintendent upon a showing that there is a financial, educational, or health problem, or disruption affecting the student or his or her family that would be significantly alleviated by allowing the student to finish the school term or school year at a school outside the attendance area of the parent's residence.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested