Homeschool Freedom Hearing Friday May 4, 2012
These homeschool freedom bills still need your help. The Senate Education Committee has scheduled an executive session and is expected to take action on HB 545 and HB 1571 this Friday, May 4, 2012.. These bills would greatly improve the regulatory environment for homeschoolers in New Hampshire.
HB 545 changes the homeschool law to create one-time only notification. It also grants the Home Education Advisory Council approval authority over proposed rules.
HB 1571 changes the homeschool law to require parents to simply keep a copy of an evaluation rather than having to send it to a participating agency. It also removes the commissioner’s authority to hold a hearing which could result in the termination of a home education program.
Let’s make sure the senators know that homeschoolers want these changes that extend homeschool freedom. Please take action, as requested below, and help improve New Hampshire homeschool law!
Action Requested
Attend the executive session this Friday, May 4. You will not be able to testify since it is an executive session, but your presence will send a strong message that homeschoolers definitely want these positive changes.
Contact the Senate Education Committee and encourage them to support both HB 545 and HB 5171. Consider the following message in your own words:
“Please support HB 545 and HB 1571; these bills will make our home education law simpler and easier. Together the bills will reduce unnecessary administrative burdens on homeschoolers. HB 545 provides for one-time notification except for changes that will save both homeschool parents and participating agencies time and resources. HB 1571 was passed unanimously by consent in the House and further reduces unnecessary paperwork by requiring parents to simply keep, rather than submit, a copy of their annual evaluation. HB 1571 removes the virtually never-used commissioner’s hearing powers that could terminate a home education program. Together both bills recognize and uphold the natural and fundamental right of parents to determine and direct their children’s education. Please vote in favor of both bills!”
Use the following email chain to email all of the Senate Education Committee members. Names and phone numbers are listed below.
nancy.stiles@leg.state.nh.us; james.forsythe@leg.state.nh.us; sharon.carson@leg.state.nh.us;molly.kelly@leg.state.nh.us; represcott@represcott.com
Senator Nancy Stiles—Committee Chair
(603) 271-3093
Senator James Forsyth—Vice Chair
603) 271-3067
Senator Sharon Carson
(603) 271-1403
Senator Molly Kelly
(603) 271-3207
Senator Russell Prescott
(603) 271-4063