| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 1/23/2003 12:09:39 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Utah--Legislation Would Mandate "Cooperation" With School Districts |
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- January 23, 2003 Dear HSLDA Members and Friends, For some years, legislators have been trying to fix one small loophole in Utah law. Unfortunately, each time they try to fix the problem, they make the same mistake. Once again, Home School Legal Defense Association must ask Utah homeschoolers to defend their liberties by amending or defeating an act that would require parents to "cooperate" with school officials. This year Representative Duane E. Bourdeaux has submitted House Bill 76, which would amend Utah Code sec.53A-11-101(3)(b). Under existing law, it is a crime for a parent to knowingly "refuse to respond to a written request" from the local school about a child who is believed to be truant. Apparently, some parents of truant children are "responding" to the school officials, but are not "cooperating" with them. If this statute did not affect homeschoolers, we would not urge any action. Unfortunately, many homeschooled children in Utah do not have written approval from their local school district, and therefore might be considered "truant" under some circumstances. A law that requires parents of "truant" children to "cooperate" with school officials might put homeschoolers in the position of violating a criminal law. ACTION REQUESTED 1. Please call or write Representative Bourdeaux at 870 North Cornell Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116 (Phone 801-596-9081). Politely explain that this bill might affect some homeschoolers and ask the Representative to work with state homeschool organizations to correct the problem. 2. Forward this message to other homeschoolers you know. BACKGROUND This bill is identical to one that Representative Bourdeaux introduced in 2002. Homeschoolers expressed their concerns about the wording last year, and the bill was blocked. The previous year, Representative Bourdeaux had introduced similar language, which also failed to pass. This is now the third consecutive session in which this representative has tried to push this issue through the House. Normally, we would urge our member families to contact their own legislators or members of the committee that is considering such legislation. Since Representative Bourdeaux keeps trying to bring the same basic material to the Legislature, however, it may be helpful for families to communicate with him directly. Without a significant outpouring of protest, Representative Bourdeaux may succeed in criminalizing some homeschooling families. We encourage each member family to be courteous in all dealings with elected representatives. Thank you for your help on this important situation. Sincerely, Scott W. 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