Nothing Stops the General Assembly

Despite the very cold morning and the lingering snow from last night, the General Assembly was running at full speed with the House Committee on Education Subcommittee on Elementary and Secondary Education meeting at 8:30 this morning.

The House version of the Diabetes bill, Del. Cole’s HB 134, has been amended to remove its onerous impact on instructional personnel.  The bill, as reported today, allows diabetic students to carry a “appropriate short-term supply of carbohydrates and equipment for immediate treatment of high and low blood glucose levels, and to self-check blood glucose levels on a school bus, on school property, and at school sponsored activities.”

This bill went from being 9 pages down to 1 page.  We thank Delegate Cole for working with the education community on this legislation.

Delegate Rob Bell’s HB 63, which allows home-schooled students to participate in interscholastic programs was reported from the subcommittee on a 6-2 vote, with only Delegates Hester and  Brink voting against the bill.

Delegate Watt’s HB 1156, which would reduce average kindergarten class size from 24 to 21, require an aide at 21, and a cap at 26, and reduce the grade 1-3 average from 24 to 21 with a cap at 26, was reported and re-referred to House Appropriations.  We thank Delegate Watts for her continued focus on the class size issue.