Today, Connecticut lawmakers passed HB 5468, a bill that requires families seeking to homeschool to first clear a government registry check through the state’s Department of Children and Families. The bill also imposes new mandatory attendance reporting requirements on nonpublic schools.
Why It Matters
- Connecticut families who want to homeschool must now obtain government approval before they can begin.
- Any family with an open DCF case–even one that has never been substantiated—can be blocked from homeschooling entirely.
- Nonpublic schools that do not file annual attendance reports with the Commissioner of Education risk having their students’ attendance no longer count toward compulsory education requirements.
What We’re Saying
“Connecticut families deserve better than this. This bill doesn’t protect children; it treats parents as suspects before they’ve done anything wrong. Every family has the right to choose a learning environment that works for their child, and today Connecticut made that harder.”
— Craig Hulse, Executive Director, yes. every kid.
The Bottom Line
Connecticut families now face new government barriers simply for choosing how their children learn. Every child deserves access to an education that works for them, and that should never require proving your innocence first.
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