Bill > HB05468

This bill, effective July 1, 2027, updates state law regarding parental responsibility for educating children, introducing the concept of "parent-managed learning," which is education managed by a parent or guardian outside of a traditional public or nonpublic school. A "nonpublic school" is defined as any school that is not a public school and is either approved by the Department of Education after receiving accreditation or files a student attendance report with the Commissioner of Education. The bill requires parents or guardians to annually submit an "intent to educate form" to their local school district, indicating whether their child will be enrolled in public school, a nonpublic school, or will receive parent-managed learning. This form must be submitted by October 1st each year, with specific provisions for children moving into a district or withdrawing from a nonpublic school. The bill also outlines procedures for parents to withdraw children from public school for nonpublic school or parent-managed learning, including a background check by the Department of Children and Families for parent-managed learning withdrawals, and clarifies reporting requirements for nonpublic schools. Additionally, the Department of Education is tasked with developing and making available the necessary intent to educate and withdrawal forms by July 1, 2027, and the state's data collection on schools and districts will now include the number of children being educated through parent-managed learning.