HSLDA’s position is that Public Act No. 26-37 raises serious problems under the Connecticut Constitution.

Because the statute is newly enacted, no Connecticut court has ruled on the constitutionality of Public Act No. 26-37. But Connecticut has a long history of recognizing the responsibility of parents to direct their children’s education. This law burdens that responsibility by creating a government screening process before certain parents can withdraw their children from public school for homeschooling. Additionally, parents who homeschool for reasons of conscience or religious belief may also be able to challenge the statute under the First Amendment and Connecticut’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

HSLDA is actively evaluating potential legal challenges to P.A. 26-37. If the law will require you to change your homeschooling plans or otherwise burden your right to homeschool, please contact us.

In 2026, Connecticut enacted Public Act No. 26-37, formerly H.B. 5468. The law changes how Connecticut treats home education by creating a new statutory category called “parent-managed learning.”

HSLDA uses the term “homeschooling” because that is the term most families understand. But under the new law, Connecticut refers to homeschooling as “parent-managed learning,” which means education managed by a parent or guardian in a setting other than a public school or nonpublic school.

The law has two major parts. First, beginning with the 2027–28 school year, it creates a new withdrawal process for families removing a child from public school for parent-managed learning. Second, beginning with the 2028–29 school year, it creates an intent-to-educate form requirement for certain families.

If your child has never been enrolled in a Connecticut public school, the public-school withdrawal process does not apply. That means the in-person withdrawal form and DCF records check do not apply simply because your family moves into Connecticut.

Beginning with the 2028–29 school year, a family that moves into a Connecticut school district during the school year must complete an intent-to-educate form within 14 days after moving into the district. That form identifies whether the child will be enrolled in public school, attending a nonpublic school, or receiving parent-managed learning. The law allows the intent-to-educate form to be submitted electronically.

Families should stay informed, keep good records, and watch for HSLDA updates as the State Department of Education develops the required forms and school districts begin implementing the law.

Families who are currently homeschooling should understand that the DCF records check does not apply to children already being homeschooled. Families who plan to withdraw a child from public school beginning in the 2027–28 school year should be aware that the new withdrawal process will apply.

HSLDA members with specific questions about their situation should contact us directly.