HSLDA attorneys play a big part in defending homeschoolers in court, but they also participate in helping citizens keep their legislators accountable. Today on Home School Heartbeat, Mike Farris discusses a recent example of this advocacy.
Mike Farris:
I am with HSLDA Senior Counsel Scott Woodruff today. Welcome to the program, Scott!
Scott Woodruff:
My pleasure, Mike!
Mike:
Earlier this year, you took action against a senate bill that would have radically changed requirements for homeschoolers in Illinois. What did this bill try to do?
Scott:
Mike, this bill would have given the state department of education full, blank-check power to enforce any regulations they want on homeschool families by way of the mechanism of mandatory registration. Under current law in Illinois, a homeschool is a private school but it’s not required to register. SB136 would’ve made registration mandatory for every single homeschool child, and gave the department full power to decide what is required for registration.
Mike:
Scott, this is a common problem, where legislators make these general pronouncements and leave the details to bureaucrats. How dangerous is this?
Scott:
That’s tremendously dangerous because the bureaucrats have actually no incentive whatsoever to accommodate or reflect the will of the people.
Mike:
Scott, thanks so much. Listeners, tune in next time to find out how Illinois homeschoolers made a dramatic stand for homeschool freedom. I’m Mike Farris.
