VaHomeschoolers Leg Report: the bad bill 2006

This kind of bill is why VaHomeschoolers Govt Affairs committee watches what is being introduced everyday in the General Assembly. We feel that this bill was not intended to be malicious and its patron is actually sympathetic towards homeschoolers. We feel confident this will be resolved positively (which would certainly be the morethanfine outcome!)

VaHomeschoolers Legislative Report
January 2006 by Celeste Land, Government Affairs

New Home Instruction Bill HB 537 Would Heavily Regulate Homeschoolers

As the 2006 legislative session begins in Virginia, the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers would like its members to be aware of an especially dangerous bill, HB 537, which has been introduced in the House of Delegates. If passed, HB 537 would create significant additional regulation and oversight for homeschoolers across the state. VaHomeschoolers opposes HB 537.

Status of HB 537:
HB 537 (Parrish, R-Manassas) was introduced at the request of the
Manassas City Public Schools, at least partially in response to a
difficult situation involving a custody dispute. Hard cases make bad laws, and this particular bill, if passed, would have unfortunate implications for thousands of families well beyond the single case it was designed to address.

VaHomeschoolers is working with Delegate Parrish's office and other
homeschooling organizations to try to resolve this quickly and peacefully. It is our hope that the patron will withdraw this legislation before it comes to committee. Delegate Parrish is a friend of homeschooling and did not intend to harm or offend homeschoolers with this legislation. As such, we do not recommend action by our members at this time. We will keep you informed of HB 537's status as the session progresses.

For complete text of HB 537 or any other bills, see "Legislative Information" on the General Assembly's web page at http://legis.state.va.us/ or contact VaHomeschoolers for more information.