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| Date: From: Subject: | 7/6/2009 4:56:50 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Louisiana: Update--Religious Freedom Amendment Fails |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== July 6, 2009 Louisiana: Update--Religious Freedom Amendment Fails Dear HSLDA Members and Friends: During the 2009 legislative session the Home School Legal Defense Association worked closely with Christian Home Educators Fellowship (CHEF) of Louisiana in monitoring several bills. Earlier this session Representative Henry introduced a Religious Freedom Amendment to strengthen religious freedom under the Louisiana Constitution. House Bill 340 was an excellent bill that, if passed, would have protected religious exercise from government intrusion. Under H.B. 340 the government would have been prohibited from burdening the free exercise of religion unless they could demonstrate the government "has a compelling governmental interest in infringing upon the specific (religious) expression" and there is "no other less burdensome alternative." This is commonly referred to as the strict scrutiny test. For more information about Religious Freedom Restoration Act please see: http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=6708 . However, time ran out on this bill. The session ended while H.B. 340 was in conference committee. We appreciate all of you who made calls on behalf of H.B. 340. Another bill that HSLDA watched closely was House Bill 531. Under this bill, eligible home study students would have been permitted to participate in public school athletics. While HSLDA is neutral on the issue of public school participation, we monitored the bill to ensure there would be no negative impact on the right of parents to teach their children at home. We also provided information on what other states have done regarding this issue. When this bill was sent to conference committee in the final days of the legislative session, an amendment was proposed that would have made it a crime for home study students to submit false academic documentation. This amendment proposed that a homeschool parent would face a fine of up to $250, six months in jail, and potentially have their homeschool program revoked. No other state that allows homeschool participation in public school sports has a similar crime. Additionally, under this amendment, this potential crime would have only applied to homeschool parents. Recognizing that it would be unwise to allow such an amendment, Rep. Henry, the primary sponsor of H.B. 531, prevented the bill from going any further. The Louisiana legislature adjourned "sine die" on June 25th. Sincerely, Thomas J. Schmidt HSLDA Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> How long are you in for? Some families are facing what seems like a lifelong commitment to homeschooling, with children at both ends of the spectrum -- some graduating and some just reaching school age. If you're going to be "in" for a while, consider a lifetime membership with HSLDA. It's a good deal for families with more than 10 years of homeschooling ahead. More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1936 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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