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___________________________________________________ __________________________________________