R029-9899

10   	A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE DRUG REFORM COORDINATION 
20	NETWORK CAMPAIGN TO OVERTURN THE PROVISION IN THE 
30 	HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1998 THAT DENIES OR DELAYS LOANS 
40	TO STUDENTS CONVICTED OF DRUG-RELATED OFFENSES 
 
50 	WHEREAS:	A provision in the Higher Education Act of 1998 mandates that 
60		 	students convicted of any drug-related offense be denied eligibility 
70			for student loans for periods ranging from one year to "indefinite;" 
80			and,
 
90	WHEREAS:	The Drug Reform Coordination Network has begun a nationwide 
100			campaign calling the 106th Congress of the United States to 
110			overturn that provision; and,
 
120   	WHEREAS:	The Drug Reform Coordination Network's campaign "views the 
130 			restriction of  access to education as a counterproductive 
140			approach;" and,
 
150 	WHEREAS:	That same campaign points out that "no other class of offender 
160			faces similar restriction on student loan eligibility;" and,
 
170 	WHEREAS:	That same campaign points out that "this provision will impact 
180			primarily students of low to moderate economic means;" and,
 
190	WHEREAS:	That same campaign points out that "this provision will have a 
200 			racially discriminatory impact, as non-white communities are 
210 			disproportionately targeted for enforcement of drug laws (e.g. 
220			African-Americans comprise 13% of the nation's drug users, but 
230			they make up 55% of those convicted for drug offenses)." 
 
240 	THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:  That the Maryland Student Legislature
250			endorses the Drug Reform Coordination Network's campaign to 
260			overturn the provision of the Higher Education Act of 1998 
270			that denies or delays eligibility for student loans to students 
280			convicted of any drug-related offense; and,
 
290	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:	That the Maryland Student Legislature calls 
300		 	the 106th Congress of the United States to overturn that section of 
310			the Higher Education Act of 1998 that denies or delays access to 
320			students loans based upon convictions for drug-related offenses.
 
330	MANDATES:	Senator Paul S. Sarbanes
340			Senator Barbara A. Mikulski

Matt Thomas
Western Maryland College
2 College Hill
Westminster, MD  21157
410-751-8324