Senate Bill 308: Removes Truancy Exemption for Homeschool Children

Author:
Senator Jim Wilson

Summary:
Even before the Oklahoma 2009 Legislative Session has officially started, two bills have come to our attention, and we need your help. Both of these bills, Senate Bill 308 and Senate Bill 472, threaten the foundation of home education freedom that parents have in Oklahoma. These bills are scheduled to be officially introduced on February 2.

Senate Bill 308 would allow local police or certain public school officials to take temporary custody of any child who was taught at home. Under S.B. 308, whenever a child is away from their home without an adult present, a police officer or school official could pick them up and temporarily detain them. Currently under Oklahoma law, children who are taught at home cannot be picked up and detained; they are exempt.

Oklahoma Christian Home Educators Consociation (OCHEC) has confirmed from Senator Jonathan Nichols, the chairman of the Rules Committee, that Senate Bills 308 and 472 will be killed in committee.

However, Senate Bills 308 and 472 did not pass out of committee.

Status:

1/20/2009		(Senate) Introduced
2/2/2009		(Senate) Referred to the Rules Committee

HSLDA’s Position:
HSLDA is opposed to S.B. 308.

Action Requested:
No further action needed at this time.

Background:
Some of you may remember that in the 2007 legislative session Senator Jim Wilson introduced a bill that was virtually identical to current Senate Bill 472. That bill, Senate Bill 375, was successfully defeated by the prayers and hard work of families all across Oklahoma.

Thank you for your part in fighting for freedom in Oklahoma! Feel free to pass this information on to others who are supportive of home education freedom. If you would like to be put on our email list to receive free vital e-lerts you may sign up here.

Other Resources

E-lert, January 13, 2009: Oklahoma—Action Needed, Homeschool Freedom Threatened by Two Bad Bills!

E-lert, January 14, 2008: Oklahoma—Update—Partial Good News on Negative Senate Bills

E-lert—2/6/2009 12:07:19 PM—Oklahoma: More Calls Needed on Bad Bills!

E-lert—2/6/2009 2:47:01 PM—Oklahoma: Update--No More Calls Needed!