Connecticut legislation threatening homeschool freedoms, nonprofit warns 

Advocates are raising the alarm over Connecticut legislation that would create suffocating restrictions on homeschooling.

“Connecticut has long trusted parents to direct their children’s education without unnecessary government interference,” writes the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) about House Bill 5468, which it says “would represent a major shift away from that approach.”

The nonprofit also took issue with Senate Bill 6, which would mandate reporting to the state Department of Children and Families (DCF) whenever any child was withdrawn from public school.

“By sweeping all withdrawals into a state-level reporting mechanism that triggers DCF review, Section 5 unnecessarily implicates law-abiding families exercising lawful educational choices without reasonable suspicion that they have done anything wrong,” HSLDA argues.

Section 5 of the Senate bill would create “a new statutory reporting structure unrelated to the core reforms of the bill,” which the nonprofit describes as a child protection and family support measure.

“This risks creating a chilling effect on families considering homeschooling and unfairly establishes an implicit presumption of suspicion (that may) prevent parents from making necessary and timely decisions for a child’s wellbeing.”

‘Ongoing government oversight and scrutiny’ 

House Bill 5468, which is scheduled for a Wednesday hearing, would set up a system where families must register with a school district and provide annual forms to the government if they want to homeschool.

“Connecticut law currently affords parents the freedom to provide home education without mandatory registration, annual government filings, or state evaluation of their child’s education,” HSLDA notes. “HB 5468 would mandate each of those steps and place homeschooling families under a system of ongoing government oversight and scrutiny.”

Such systems often lead to “uneven enforcement and inconsistent interpretation across school districts,” the nonprofit warns.

“As seen in other high regulation states, districts may apply the law differently when determining whether a family has demonstrated compliance. This could lead to confusion, disputes, and uncertainty for families who are trying to educate their children.”

HSLDA emphasizes its support for any laws strengthening child protection but clarifies these laws must not impinge on individual rights.

“Child protection reform should be targeted and evidence-based,” it writes. “Overbroad reporting mandates do not directly address the root causes of abuse and may undermine constitutional protections.”

However, Section 5 “broadly subjects all withdrawing families to a new reporting framework” instead of limiting notifications “to situations involving substantiated abuse or neglect,” HSLDA argues.

“It is a bedrock principle of U.S. law that parents are presumed to act in the best interests of their children unless proven otherwise,” the nonprofit adds. “Homeschooling families deserve to be treated with fairness, respect, and the presumption of innocence.”

‘We are here because we are a homeschooling family’ 

The Constitution State saw more than 2,000 families protesting a government report last spring that also called for more homeschool restrictions.

“We are here because we are a homeschooling family, and we are greatly appreciative of the homeschooling freedoms that Connecticut has historically had,” Justin Bennett said during the May protest.

The report came after a 32-year-old man accused his 56-year-old stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, of holding him in captivity for 20 years. She was arrested and charged with inhumane treatment, abuse, neglect and starvation.

While homeschool critics were quick to call for more regulations, protesters highlighted the failure of both DCF and public education to intervene, despite multiple opportunities.

“That child was in public school for five years and DCF had been involved, but nobody really did anything to help that child,” concluded homeschool mom Rebekah Farrington.

The department had received notifications “more than 20 times” from the school principal but ultimately never opened a case, news reports noted.

These recent pieces of legislation have drawn national attention, with the “bluelivesmtr” X account calling them “beyond outrageous.”

“By the way, this is the same state that passed a law requiring tampon and maxi pad dispensers in the boys bathrooms in the elementary schools,” it posted, referring to policies enacted in other states such as Oregon and Minnesota.

(Image credit: Wikimedia Commons)