Latest Updates
June 5 | Bill placed on hold
After attending the hearing scheduled for S. 1796 in Trenton, HSLDA Senior Counsel Will Estrada reported that the sponsor had asked the legislative committee to withhold the bill from a hearing or any other action. This represented a very hopeful development because it suggested that the sponsor was not aware of how homeschooling parents felt about the bill.
About 200 homeschooling parents and students also showed up for the hearing to voice their opposition.
Estrada noted that what happens next will largely depend on what the sponsor decides to do. Homeschooling mom Ro Uwague and board member with Educating New Jersey’s Outstanding Youth has established a line of communication with the sponsor.
June 3 | Bill to be heard in Senate hearing
A legislative hearing was scheduled for S. 1796, which threatens to change the state’s positive homeschool dynamic by adding pointless and burdensome red tape. HSLDA asked supporters to contact their state senators in opposition to the bill and to come to the hearing dressed in red as a show of solidarity.
Summary of S. 1796
Senate Bill 1796 would require every homeschool family in New Jersey to file a letter with their public school superintendent expressing their intent to homeschool their children. The birth date and grade level of each child would be required as well, and the bill provides no privacy protection.