Federal Relations

HSLDA and Federal Legislation

The Constitution does not permit the federal government to regulate or control private or public education. The 10th Amendment provides that education, where it is an issue of government concern, is left to the states. However, the unfortunate reality is that the federal government does not presently consider itself restrained in matters of public education. Accordingly, HSLDA actively monitors the federal government for policies or legislation that would infringe on the freedom of parents to educate their children at home, and works hard to defeat or modify those that are threatening. HSLDA also works to ensure that the federal government does not unduly discriminate against homeschoolers and will advocate to remedy discrimination in ways that will not affect homeschool freedom.

HSLDA pays close attention to the language used in any federal legislation. If a bill is worded poorly, it may inadvertently lead to unnecessary restrictions on the freedoms of home educating families. HSLDA works with Congress to ensure that final language will not pose a significant risk to those freedoms. While HSLDA supports many bills in concept, we are sometimes forced to withdraw that support (or oppose legislation) if the language chosen seems dangerous as the bill moves through its various stages.

Federal Legislation

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112th Congress

The 112th United States Congress is now in session. Watch here for new legislation that could affect homeschool freedom.

H.R. 2910—Family Educational Records Privacy Extension Act

S. 2043—Religious Freedom Restoration Act

H.R. 2514—Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success Act (A PLUS Act)

S. 1800—Parental Consent Act of 2011

H.R. 2769—Parental Consent Act of 2011

H.R. 2117—To Prohibit The Department Of Education From Overreaching Into Academic Affairs

H.R. 973—To Prevent the Misuse of Foreign Law in Federal Courts

S. Res. 99—Resolution Safeguarding Against the Convention on the Rights of the Child

S. 162—Cut Federal Spending Act of 2011

H.R. 508—Child Tax Credit Preservation Act of 2011

H.R. 272—To amend the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act

S. 1879—Child Abuse Reporting Enforcement Act

S. 1722—The Early Learning Proficiency Act

H.R. 1397—Employment Non—Discrimination Act (ENDA)

S. 54—Supporting Child Maltreatment Prevention Efforts in Community Health Centers Act of 2011

S. 41—National Office for Social Work Research Act

S. 299—Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2011 (REINS Act)

S. 1467—Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011

H.R. 931—To Make Participation in the American Community Survey Optional

S. 178—Spending Reduction Act of 2011

H.R. 408—Spending Reduction Act of 2011

H.R. 3323—Freeing Agriculture to Reap More Act (Farm Act)

H.R. 1179–Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011

S. 1877—Speak Up to Protect Every Abused Kid Act

Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

H. Res. 20—“Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Senate should ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).”

Other information:
- Federal Legislation
- Federal Legislation Archive

Legislation Watch

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