House Education Committee approves McNeill bill to protect students caught in school district residency disputes
Rep. Jeanne McNeill April 13, 2023 | 9:11 AM
HARRISBURG, April 12 – State Rep. Jeanne McNeill announced today her legislation to protect students who are caught in school district disputes has been moved out of the House Education Committee, 17-4.
“Every Pennsylvania child deserves a quality education and when a residency dispute arises between a child’s parents or caregivers and the school district, the child should not be punished while the two sides resolve the issue,” said McNeill, D-Lehigh. “For districts to pull a student is callous and uncaring and punishes the child through no fault of their own.”
Under House Bill 663, in the event of a residency dispute between school districts, a school district would not be permitted to remove a child from school until the dispute has been fully resolved and it has been determined which school district should correctly enroll the child.
McNeill said this issue is of particular interest to her as one occurrence happened in her district involving a student with a disability who, for more than 30 days, had been without the supportive educational instruction and caring support they so importantly needed.
Added McNeill, “I would like to thank Education Committee Majority Chairman Peter Schweyer for recognizing the importance of this bill and bringing it to the committee for approval.”
H.B. 663 now heads to the full House for consideration. This is the second piece of legislation from McNeill to be approved out of committee in as many weeks. Her bill, H.B. 494, to require carbon monoxide detectors in day care facilities was moved from the Health Committee on March 29.