New Hampshire House of Representatives Votes on Regulating Homeschooling

As reported in Persecuted for Homeschooling, Swedish Family Loses Child, recently Swedish authorities did the unthinkable when they removed a young boy from his home because he was homeschooled by his parents. Although New Hampshire has certainly not gone that far yet, many are afraid the New Hampshire House of Representatives is starting down that same slippery slope. For the second year in a row a legislative study committee has recommended not to make any changes to New Hampshire's homeschool law. However, this week the New Hampshire House of Representatives is planning to vote on whether or not to strictly regulate homeschooling, a move many homeschoolers believe imposes requirements that go beyond those mandated by law through House Bill 368 (H.B. 368).

After hearing the findings of a bi-partisan legislative study committee who recently voted 14-6 that the proposed new homeschool law (H.B. 368) is inadvisable, or as they put it, "Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL)," the Home School Legal Defense Association reports the Democrat leadership of the New Hampshire House of Representatives is using a legislative maneuver to manipulate the system and override the recommendations. The House will vote on H.B. 368 when it meets again on Wednesday, January 13.

While H.B. 368 reads like it makes no radical changes, it inserts language that requires participating agencies provide certain listed materials to homeschoolers and requires that homeschoolers sign a statement assuring the participating agency that they will comply with the law. It puts authority in the hands of a superintendent or principal to give the parents "any other resources which the superintendent or principal determines may benefit such parent in providing home education." While this may sound harmless, New Hampshire Homeschooling Coalition reports opponents are concerned this language transfers constitutional authority from the parent to others.

The majority report recommending that H.B. 368 is ITL was written by Democratic Representative Barbara Shaw, a retired teacher with 45 years experience who originally was not as favorable about homeschooling. ChristianActivities reports Shaw said this about her present perspective on the homeschooling issue, "After studying this issue for several years I've gotten to know homeschoolers, the law, and how the system works and I'm convinced that it is working fine - there are no changes needed. Some people have accused me of doing a 180 on homeschooling - and I would have to admit that's true. But that's because I've seen that homeschooling is working for children in our state and the current law is adequate."

Republican Minority Leader Sherman Packard said that the Republican party is not in favor of changing iNew Hampshire's homeschooling law. "We've always supported homeschoolers - we aggressively support ITL. Until the end of last week we weren't aware that there was a problem with this legislation since the majority report was ITL."

Democrats may fear that if they allowed an open process, the majority would vote ITL to leave well enough alone in regards to homeschooling in New Hampshire. Or as we like to say in the South where wisdom is often hidden in quotes the New Hampshire House of Representatives would probably disdain: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Read the outcome at: Victory for Homeschoolers in New Hampshire

Sources:

Persecuted for Homeschooling, Swedish Family Loses Child

http://www.nhhomeschooling.org/

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB0368.html

http://www.hslda.org/Legislation/State/nh/2009/NHHB368/default.asp

http://www.christianactivities.com/family/story.asp?ID=6975