POOLESVILLE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
AGE OF MAJORITY RIGHTS
Maryland House Bill 299, signed into law on May 24, 1973, establishes a new definition for the
age of majority. according to this law, the 18 year old now may exercise rights and enjoy
privileges previously reserved for 21 year olds.
"The law provides, among other things, that an individual may enter legally binding contracts,
buy and sell securities, act as a broker, and generally assume the rights and responsibilities that
had previously been reserved to those twenty-one years of age.
"The provisions of the law are clear and have implications with regard to the way that our
schools must work with students who have reached their 18th birthday. If a student elects to
exercise his majority, the school is required to honor the student's signature on absence notes,
field trip permission forms, and other forms that previously required signed parental consent. In
instances where school attendance or deportment are at issue, the school will deal directly with
the student if the student elects not to involve the parents or guardian. The student may also
have access to his school records and may determine what other persons shall have access.
"Therefore, students who reach their 18th birthday while still enrolled in Montgomery County
Public Schools, may inform a designated individual in each school that they are 18 and choose to
exercise their majority rights. At that time the appropriate adjustments and notations will be
made on the student's records."
By signing and submitting a statement to the school, the student will officially declare his/her
intention of exercising his/her rights under the Age of Majority Rights Law. The school will
notify the parent or guardian of record that the student has elected to exercise this right.
However, according to the State Attorney General's interpretation of the Age of Majority law,
and the State Board of Education by-laws, regulations or rules are exceptions to the Age of
Majority Law and contacts must be made with parents as in the case of younger students.
_______________________________
Student’s Printed Name
_______________________________
Student's Signature
__________
Date
Date Of Birth________________
Verified By___________________________________
Effective Date_______________
Administrator's Signature________________________
Parent's/Guardian's Names ___________________________________________________
Complete Address___________________________________________________
__________________________________________