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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello All,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>HB 1300 is a bill that will improve mobility services for children that the local school systems are supposed to provide. There is opposition to the bill from various professional groups and teachers. We must let the House Ways and Means Committee know that parents and children need this bill. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The bill calls for an O&M evaluation to be done in various lighting conditions and in familiar and unfamiliar places. We are asking that this section of the bill be amended so that the evaluation will include input from classroom teachers and from parents. The bill further states that the child should be reevaluated as a regular part of the IEP process to ensure that the child is receiving appropriate O&M services. This bill will also help parents to know about O&M services and about their right to an independent evaluation. If you want to read the text of the bill go to:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2014RS/bills/hb/hb1300F.pdf">http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2014RS/bills/hb/hb1300F.pdf</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please send emails to the members of the committee according to where you live, ie Baltimore City, Montgomery County, etc. The email address is always the first name, then a period, then the last name, then @house.state.md.us . I am providing the committee list at the end of this email. In addition to the delegates in from your location, everyone should also send an email to the Chairman of the Education Subcommittee, Delegate Anne Kaiser and to the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Delegate Sheila Hixson. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please get your emails in by Wednesday, March 5<sup>th</sup>. Please let me know what response you receive. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here is the list by locations:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Allegany County – LeRoy Myers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Anne Arundel County – Ron George <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Baltimore City – Talmadge Branch, Melvin Stukes, Nina Harper<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Baltimore County – Joseph Boteler, Jon Cardin<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Calvert County – Mark Fisher<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fredrick County – Kathryn Afzali <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Howard County – Frank Turner<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Montgomery County – Kumar Barve, Eric Luedtke, Aruna Miller, Bill Frick<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>PG County – Jolene Ivey, Carolyn Howard, Michael Summers, Jay Walker, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Alonzo Washington (thank him for sponsoring the bill)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Washington County – Andrew Serafini <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Make sure the delegates know that we want them to vote in favor of this bill. Get your family and friends to send emails too. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks for your help, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sharon Maneki<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>