SENATE BILL NO. 11 "An Act relating to the legal age for attending school; and providing for an effective date." This was the second hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance Committee. AT EASE 9:09 AM / 9:10 AM Amendment #2: This amendment deletes "the legal age for attending school" and inserts "required school attendance" to the title of the bill to read, "An Act relating to required school attendance; and providing for and effective date." This amendment also deletes the language in Section 1 and inserts language to read as follows. Section 1. AS 14.30.010 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (c) If a parent, legal guardian, or other person having the responsibility for or control of the child elects to enroll a child who is six years of age in first grade at a public school, after enrollment, the child is subject to the provisions of (a) and (b) of this section. This amendment also changes the effective date of this legislation from July 1, 2001 to July 1, 2002. Senator Leman moved for adoption. Senator Austerman objected for explanation. Senator Leman reminded the Committee of the sponsor's intent to address the matter of parents enrolling their six-year-old children in school then having the children attend school sporadically. Senator Leman noted this practice requires educators to concentrate effort on bringing these students to the same level as the students who attend regularly. He opined the proposal to lower the mandatory attendance age from age seven to age six would be "a bit of a reach and went too far". Therefore, he proposed this amendment, which requires those students under the age of seven, who are enrolled, to attend school and allows law enforcement to enforce truancy rules. Senator Leman informed that the sponsor and the Department of Education and Early Development have no objection to the amendment. WILDA RODMAN, staff to Senator Therriault, testified to affirm the sponsor does not object to adoption of the amendment. Senator Green questioned the phase "after enrollment" as it appears in the amendment. Senator Leman explained this provision would not apply unless the parent or legal guardian enrolls the child. He stated this language is recommended by the drafter. Co-Chair Kelly asked if Senator Green thought this changes the intent of the bill. Senator Green did not, but found it confusing. Co-Chair Donley opined that given the "on-going problems and the threats of this Administration against home schooling," specific language that could not be interpreted differently, is preferred. He relayed concerns raised at a recent meeting of the Anchorage caucus about the Administration's actions regarding home schooling. Senator Hoffman suggested the same arguments for mandatory attendance should apply to kindergarten students as well. He suggested lowering the mandatory attendance age to five years for those children enrolled in school. Co-Chair Kelly understood the sponsor's intent is to address the specific problems of certain schools: the sporadic attendance of some six-year-old students. He surmised the inclusion of kindergarten would go "beyond the scope". Ms. Rodman affirmed. Senator Hoffman spoke to the larger problem of children skipping school in that there is insufficient authority and resources to enforce attendance rules. Co-Chair Kelly, for Senator Austerman's benefit, summarized the discussions of the first hearing, as he was not present at that meeting. A roll call was taken on the motion to adopt Amendment #1. IN FAVOR: Senator Austerman, Senator Green, Senator Leman, Senator Olson, Senator Ward, Senator Wilken, Co-Chair Donley and Co-Chair Kelly OPPOSED: Senator Hoffman The motion PASSED (8-1) The amendment was ADOPTED. Co-Chair Donley offered a motion to "move the new Senate Finance committee substitute for Senate Bill 11 from Committee with the accompanying zero fiscal note." There was no objection and SB 11 (FIN) MOVED from Committee with accompanying indeterminate fiscal note #1 from the Department of Education and Early Development. AT EASE 9:21 AM / 9:22 AM