Controversial homeschooling bill debated in Connecticut Senate ahead of vote
A homeschooling bill is being debated by Connecticut lawmakers on Monday night. The bill imposes tighter restrictions on parents seeking to withdraw their children from school.
Lawmakers have been discussing the bill for several hours.
The bill was made to protect children from abuse in response to several big stories in the state over the last year. Those stories included the death of 11-year-old Jaqueline “Mimi” Torres-Garcia in New Britain and “S” in Waterbury, who set fire to his room, saying he had been held against his will for 20 years. In both cases, the children were taken out of school under the excuse of homeschooling.
“The state has a responsibility to protect children,” said Sen. Martin Looney (D-Senate Pro Tem). “In other words, it’s not only the parents who have a responsibility for those children.”
The bill would require all parents to complete a form indicating whether their child attends public or nonpublic school or will be home-schooled. If the parents are withdrawing their children for the first time, there will be a check with the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
If DCF finds an open case in the household, that child cannot be withdrawn from school.
“There’s nothing in this bill that parents should think of as something that is harassing or imposing an unreasonable burden on parents who are doing the right thing,” said Looney.
Throughout the bill’s life, homeschooling families tracked it every step of the way and have made their voices heard at the state capitol building.
They were there Monday night as the debate continued, hoping it would not pass.
Some Republicans argue that DCF can’t handle the extra work, especially after a recent disturbing case that came to light, where a child took their life within an hour of a DCF visit.
“That agency is a train wreck,” said Sen. Eric Berthel (R-Watertown). “It’s off the rails. It needs to go through substantial reform and be fixed before they should be allowed to interact with another family and another child.”
But lawmakers are also looking to reform DCF. A separate bill creating an oversight committee to recommend DCF reforms passed the House and Senate unanimously on Monday and is now heading to Gov. Ned Lamont’s desk for signature.
Republicans are hoping to stop the homeschooling bill.
“It’s nothing more than a targeted effort against a bunch of people for the most part, 99.9% do nothing more than love their children and educate their children properly,” said Sen. Stephen Harding (R-Minority Leader). “That’s the problem with the bill.”
A previous version of the bill required homeschooling parents to prove that the education they’re providing is on par with the public school system, but that requirement has since been removed.
From breaking news and local politics to art exhibitions, live music, high school sports, small businesses, and cultural events, we celebrate the people and places that make Connecticut unique.