Governor Perdue Signs Military Family Bill

Friday, April 28, 2006

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Governor Perdue Signs Military Family Bill

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue signed HB984 today, legislation making it easier for the families of active duty soldiers to spend time together before and after overseas deployment or while home on leave. State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox joined Governor Perdue for today’s bill signing.

“Children of military families often have their mom or dad deployed overseas for months at a time. When they are at home together, we want them to be free to spend valuable time with one another,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “We owe a great debt of gratitude to our military families and this bill is a small way of saying thanks.”

The bill grants five excused absences to public school students who have a parent or guardian being sent overseas for active duty or returning from active duty.

“These brave men and women need to know that they will be able to spend time with their families without worrying if their child will be punished for missing school,” said Superintendent Cox. “While I am a strong believer in our new, tougher attendance policy, I believe there are times that rules and regulations must give way to compassion.”

HB984 sponsored by Representative Mike Coan and was carried in the Senate by Senator Ronnie Chance. The bill passed unanimously in the House and the Senate.

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