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| Date: From: Subject: | 1/27/2011 5:11:11 PM Home School Legal Defense Association New Hampshire: HB 301--Best Plan for Homeschoolers |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== New Hampshire: HB 301--Best Plan for Homeschoolers Dear HSLDA Members and Friends New Hampshire homeschoolers have defended themselves valiantly from attempts in recent years to impose onerous restrictions on homeschooling; battles which prompted HSLDA to turn New Hampshire "red" on its national map of homeschool laws to show its "hostile legislative climate." The most recent election has, however, improved this "climate," resulting in a number of proposals to improve New Hampshire's 20-year-old homeschool law, New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated 193-A ("RSA 193-A"). HSLDA supports House Bill 301, sponsored by Representative Jim Parison, and we encourage our members to do the same. HB 301 dramatically improves New Hampshire's homeschool law. It creates a simpler homeschool law that recognizes parents' fundamental rights, provides for straightforward one-time notification and explicitly protects homeschoolers' privacy. The bill removes required assessments and all Department of Education (DOE) involvement in home education. In light of the DOE's removal, the bill creates a careful legislative framework to protect parents from unwanted encounters with DCYF, family courts, truancy officers and school officials. Unlike some other proposals, the bill also removes the state's authority to challenge parents with educational neglect, terminate a home education program or force children to attend a school. HB 301 affords homeschooling parents the highest levels of due process protections. With a sponsor's amendment, Representative Parison has taken necessary action to remove certain language mistakenly retained during the bill drafting process. This mistaken language created a second, misdemeanor level, offense if parents were found guilty of "purposely failing" to educate their children. The amendment removes this language allowing the state to charge parents only with a violation when there is probable cause and with a burden of proof that is "beyond a reasonable doubt." The bill is carefully drafted to create greater flexibility and freedom and reduce bureaucracy; HSLDA is convinced that New Hampshire homeschoolers will be well served by supporting HB 301. Representative Parison is a homeschooling father of six, a member of the CheNH board and has served for six years as CheNH's president. He has been at the "tip of the spear" fighting for New Hampshire homeschoolers these past four years. Representative Parison has consulted with state homeschool organizations and leaders, members of the Home Education Advisory Council, homeschooling parents and supportive state representatives, including his co-sponsors Representatives Paul Mirski and Charles Sova, and senators Raymond White and Sharon Carson. ACTION REQUESTED There is no action requested at this time. HSLDA anticipates that there may be action needed to assure passage of this legislation. HSLDA encourages our members to become informed about the issues being debated in order to be prepared to support HB 301 when it is heard in the education committees and debated on the floors of the House and Senate. HSLDA will continue to track legislation that may affect homeschooling in New Hampshire. We encourage our members to stay informed and prepare to participate in the debate about what laws will be best for New Hampshire homeschoolers. A detailed memo on why HSLDA supports HB 301 can be found here: http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=10119 For information on all legislation affecting the homeschool law, visit: www.hslda.org/nh. Thank you for your support of homeschooling freedom in the Granite State. As a former New Hampshire resident and homeschooler, it is a great privilege to serve you! Sincerely, Michael P. Donnelly ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> Who are the nation's best lobbyists? We don't know that this has ever been determined; but we do know that HSLDA's Federal Relations Department is the only national organization lobbying on behalf of homeschoolers on Capitol Hill. More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1102 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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Thank you for your cooperation. ====================================================================== | |
