We need to show up in force on May 14, 2008 to show our opposition to the bill. Read on for more information...
Who? Homeschooling families and all those who support them
What? A rally to voice our opposition to SB 337
Where? The State House in Concord, 107 North Main Street
When? This Wednesday, May 14th at 9:00 am
Why? Even though we cannot speak or otherwise comment (no applause please) in front of the full house, our attendance at the rally and vote on Wednesday will speak volumes. By gathering outside the State House and attending the vote in large numbers we will demonstrate that we can mobilize and that when we do, we are a force to be reckoned with. We need to let our Representatives know that we passionately oppose this bill because it infringes on our parental rights, is unnecessary and will do nothing to help homeschooling children in New Hampshire.
How? Join us at the State House Wednesday morning, come as early as possible so that we can be seen and hopefully heard by Representatives as they enter. Some homeschooling families and supporters will be wearing Vote NO on SB 337 shirts. Feel free to create your own. Posters are permitted outside, but not inside the State House. Please try to keep your poster messages positive, encouraging representatives to support homeschooling families by opposing SB 337 and voting it ITL, rather than attacking public schools. Many representatives are loyal to public schools and this tactic will not win us any last minute votes.
Please remember if you do attend the vote, there will not be a forum for comments, nor is applause appropriate during the session. If you are bringing young children, there is lots of space to run around in front of the State House, as well as some nearby indoor options like the Concord Public Library, Kaleidoscope Childrens Museum, and many local bakeries, cafes, and restaurants.
SB 337 Update
On Tuesday, May 6th, the House Education Committee met to vote on SB 337 in an Executive Session. At that session, Rep. Rous introduced a new amendment to SB 337, it made the following changes:
1. Homeschooling parents would have to make notification within 5 days of the start of a homeschooling program, and then submit curriculum within 30 days.
2. It would place on Senator and two State Reps on the Home Education Advisory Council (HEAC).
3. It would also create a Homeschool Commission to "study" homeschooling laws.
The entire Rous amendment can be seen at the following link:
A second amendment, the Carson amendment (see complete text of the amendment below) was also introduced in this session. This amendment removes the curriculum requirement from the bill (a small victory), but includes the above changes (Rouse Amendment). The vote to recommend the amendment offered by Rep Carson passed 13-5.
The final vote by the HEC was 9-8 in favor of recommending the bill to pass with the Carson amendment. This amendment is the lesser of all evils, but it still has many problems, not the least of which is the Homeschool Study Commission, which could open the doors to more needless legislation.
What We Need to Do
1. We need to continue to email and call our
State Reps and tell them (respectfully) that we do NOT want SB337 to pass. There is nothing wrong with the current law and if this bill passes it will just open the door for more needless legislation.
2. We need to show up in force on May 14, 2008 to show our opposition to the bill. The hearing starts at 10am, but we should be at the State House by 9am in order to great the Reps as they enter the building. This might be the first opportunity some of them have of asking us questions about the bill. As you can see the vote to pass was very close (9-8). This shows how important every vote is to our cause. It can not be stressed enough how important it is that every homeschooler and homeschool supporter show up to the State House on May 14th. If you haven't done anything else, please start now. We had 500 people at the 2nd House Committee Hearing and we made a difference, but there are 4,500 kids being homeschooled in this state, so clearly there are more people out there.
Complete Text of the Carson Amendment:
Rep. Carson, Rock. 3
Rep. O’Neil, Hills 3
April 17, 2008
2008-1418h
04/01
Amendment to SB 337-FN
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT adding legislative members to the home education advisory council and establishing a commission to examine New Hampshire’s home education statutes
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
1 Home Education; Notification. Amend RSA 193-A:5, I to read as follows:
193-A:10 Home Education Advisory Council. –
I. There is established the home education advisory council [comprising 12 members
(a) Two members of the house of representatives from the house education committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) One member of the senate from the senate education committee, appointed by the president of the senate.
(c) The following [members of the council
[(a)
[(b)
[(c)
[(d)
[(e)
[(f)
II. The duties of the council and the terms of office of [its
III. The chair of the council shall be elected by the council members from the home educator membership on the council appointed under subparagraph I(c). All vacancies on the council shall be filled in the same manner as that of the original appointment.
IV. Legislative members of the council shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the council.
2 Commission Established. There is established a commission to examine New Hampshire’s home education statutes.
3 Membership and Compensation.
I. The members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the house of representatives from the house education committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) One member of the senate from the senate education committee, appointed by the president of the senate.
(c) One member from the New Hampshire School Administrators Association, appointed by the association.
(d) One member from the home education advisory council established under RSA 193-A:10, appointed by the chair of the council.
(e) One member from the New Hampshire School Boards Association, appointed by the association.
(f) One member from the New Hampshire Homeschooling Coalition, appointed by the coalition.
(g) One member from the Christian Home Educators Association of new Hampshire, appointed by the association.
II. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
4 Duties. The commission shall examine New Hampshire’s home education statutes.
5. Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members shall constitute a quorum.
6 Report. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2008.
7. Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
