Filed: April 22, 2004; Bucks County

Nature of Case: Mr. and Mrs. Hankin have been homeschooling for ten years. Due to their sincere religious convictions, they had not notified the public school. In March 2004, the school district contacted them and informed them that their children were illegally absent from school. Mr. and Mrs. Hankin sent the school district several letters explaining that their religious convictions prevented them from complying with the home education law, but they soon received a letter demanding that they comply within three days or face truancy charges. The Hankins immediately filed a complaint in state court under the Religious Freedom Protection Act, claiming that their religious freedom would be violated if they were forced to comply with the home education law.

Status: A complaint and an answer have been filed. No date has been set for trial.

Note: HSLDA is working to consolidate this case with the Newborn lawsuit.