Good News, Bad News
    First, the good news! As most California Home School Legal Defense Association members know by now, the author of A.B. 804 chose to pull the bill from consideration by the Human Services Committee in the Assembly.
    Three ingredients influenced the author’s decision: First, God answers prayer. Second, California home schoolers made phone calls and were heard by their legislators—hundreds of incoming phone calls were reported. Third, other influential organizations, such as the County Welfare Directors Association, also strongly opposed A.B. 804.
    The bad news is A.B. 804 is not dead. The author could still attempt to tack his bill on to another piece of legislation, or wait until next year and go through the hearing process again.
    Although amendments were offered to exempt home schoolers from the application of the proposed law, HSLDA opposes the investigation of education issues by social workers. Family Protection Ministries and the Christian Home Educators Association of California joined in our position on this issue. The bottom line is that California adequately addresses the issue of truancy and educational neglect through the Education Code. There is no need for new laws regarding educational neglect.
    As an interesting aside, during the Assembly debate on A.B. 804, the bill’s proponents were quick to recognize the legality of home education via the private school exemption. It was clear that the author did not intend to target home educators. After receiving input from home school leaders, he quickly attempted to assuage the concerns of the home school community. The bill proponents sought to provide amendments which would exempt private schools from the application of the educational neglect provisions.
    What does the future hold regarding A.B. 804? HSLDA does not know. However, we will continue to closely monitor all the existing bills in California for amendments, working in conjunction with Family Protection Ministries to continue to protect home schoolers’ precious freedom to teach their children at home.