PHILLIPS LEE GOLDSBOROUGH, GOVERNOR. 343-

school regularly as defined in section 131 of this sub-title dur-
ing such consecutive period of each year (in no case less than
four months) as shall be prescribed by the board of school com-
missioners of the county in which the said child may reside,
unless it can be shown that such a child is elsewhere receiving
regularly thorough instruction during said period in the studies
usually taught in the public schools of the county to children
of the same age; provided that the superintendent or principal
of any school or person or persons duly authorized by such,
superintendent or principal may excuse cases of necessary
absence among its enrolled pupils; and provided further, that
the provisions of this section shall not apply to children whose
mental or physical condition is such as to render instruction
above described inexpedient or impracticable. Every person
having under his control a child between eight and fourteen
years of age shall cause such child to attend school or receive
instructions as required by this section. Children over four-
teen years of age and under the age of sixteen years, and every
person having under his control such a child shall be subject
to the requirements of this section, unless such children are
regularly and lawfully employed to labor at home or elsewhere;
provided, however, that this section shall not apply to Baltimore
City; provided further, that this section shall apply only in
those counties where the Board of County School Commission-
ers shall approve the same and appoint an attendance officer or
attendance officers for its enforcement as provided in this act.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That sections 132, 133,
134, 135 and 136 of Chapter 269 of the Acts of Assembly of
1902 be and they are hereby repealed.

SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That all offenses com-
mitted against and all prosecutions begun under the provisions
of Chapter 269 of the Act of Assembly of 1902 prior to August
1st, 1912, may and shall be prosecuted and punished under the
provisions of said Chapter 269 of the Acts, of 1902. Nothing
in this act shall be taken to apply to Howard, Kent, Anne Arun-
del, Worcester, St. Mary's and Somerset counties, but the exist-
ing laws which this act undertakes to repeal and re-enact shall
remain in force as far as they now apply to the said Howard,
Kent, Anne Arundel, Worcester, St. Mary's and Somerset coun-
ties.

SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That this act shall take
effect on August 1, 1912.

Approved April 8, 1912.