NEW HAMPSHIRE
Homeschoolers Block Bad Legislation
House Bill 211 would have made "psychological injury" a new species of child abuse. Unfortunately, the poorly defined term would include "isolating" as a kind of psychological abuse. Isolating, according to the legislation, would have included "acts that consistently prevent the child from interacting or communicating with peers or adults inside or outside the home." Social workers might interpret this definition of isolating to include homeschooling. State Senator David Wheeler did an admirable job of speaking against the motion and Home School Legal Defense Association members did an excellent job of rising in opposition to the bill.
The good news is that the bill has been sent back for further study. The bad news is that it wasn't killed outright. This means H.B. 211 will be back. Homeschoolers and their friends must be ready to fight this battle again next year. We encourage every HSLDA member family to work closely with local support groups and the state organization to keep New Hampshire free.
