PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 254

INITIATE A GRIEVANCE AT THE SCHOOL WHICH HAS ALLEGEDLY DENIED
ENROLLMENT OR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES OR OTHERWISE VIOLATED THIS
SUBTITLE.

(2) THE PRINCIPAL OF THAT SCHOOL OR THE PRINCIPAL'S DESIGNEE
SHALL ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTE BY THE END OF THE NEXT SCHOOL DAY.

(C) IF THE PRINCIPAL IS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTE TO THE
SATISFACTION OF THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN, IT SHALL BE REFERRED
IMMEDIATELY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR THAT COUNTY. THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR THAT COUNTY OR THE SUPERINTENDENT'S
REPRESENTATIVE SHALL REVIEW THE ISSUES AND RESOLVE THE DISPUTE WITHIN 5
SCHOOL DAYS.

(D) (1) THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF A HOMELESS CHILD MAY FILE A
CIVIL ACTON FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE.

(2) IN ANY CIVIL ACTION, A PARTY WHOSE RIGHTS UNDER THIS
SUBTITLE ARE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN VIOLATED SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER
REASONABLE ATTORNEY'S FEES AND COSTS.

(A) THERE IS A HOMELESS CHILDREN COMMITTEE IN THE DEPARTMENT,
CONSISTING OF 14 MEMBERS.

(B) (1) THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH
ADVOCATES FOR THE HOMELESS AND PRIVATE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT
ADVOCATE AN END TO HOMELESSNESS, SHALL APPOINT 12 MEMBERS AS FOLLOWS:

(I) FOUR SHALL BE HOMELESS OR FORMERLY HOMELESS
PARENTS OF SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN;

(II) FOUR SHALL BE PROVIDERS TO AND ADVOCATES FOR
HOMELESS PERSONS; AND

(III) FOUR SHALL BE SCHOOL PERSONNEL FROM DIFFERENT
GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS OF THE STATE.

(2) (I) ONE SHALL BE A MEMBER OF THE SENATE OF MARYLAND,
APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE.

(II) ONE SHALL BE A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES,
APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

(C) THE COMMITTEE SHALL:

(1) ADVISE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ON MATTERS
CONCERNING THE EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN; AND

(2) STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE FORM OF AN
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE STATE BOARD ON MATTERS CONCERNING THE
EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN.

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