From HSLDA's Legislation Action Center

The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is dedicated to making homeschooling possible by supporting member families and safeguarding the future of homeschooling. Through their Legislation Action Center, HSLDA empowers individuals to:

• Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with current legislative campaigns that may impact homeschooling.
• Research Bills: Look up specific legislation relevant to homeschooling.
• Connect with Legislators: Find and contact your local legislators to express your views on homeschooling issues.

By providing these resources, HSLDA ensures that homeschooling families have a voice in legislative matters and can actively participate in protecting their educational freedoms.

Urgent: Help Fight SB 1031

Dear Virginia members and friends: HSLDA and the Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV) urgently need your help to oppose SB 1031, a bill proposed by Sen. Stella Pekarsky that would eliminate the religious exemption option for homeschooling families. This exemption is a vital protection for religious liberty and parental rights in Virginia.

Background—Why the Religious Exemption Matters

The religious exemption allows parents to educate their children independent of government mandates, providing protection for all faiths, including minority and unpopular ones. If repealed, it would create unnecessary conflicts between faith-based families and government officials, potentially crushing religious freedom.

The exemption ensures families with strong religious convictions can avoid government interference in their children's education. Sen. Pekarsky’s bill would undermine this by imposing burdensome requirements under the guise of retaining the exemption, making it more difficult for religious families to homeschool.

The Landscape

Nationally, there has been a trend toward reducing testing and filing requirements for homeschoolers. Virginia families currently benefit from minimal interaction with officials under the religious exemption. SB 1031 would reverse this trend, creating annual filing requirements and adding red tape for faith-based families without solving any real-world problems.

The religious exemption statute aligns with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Wisconsin v. Yoder and has remained unchanged since its enactment in 1976. This bill reflects a worldview that distrusts parents and prioritizes government control over education decisions.

Stand with HSLDA and HEAV: Together, we can oppose this bill and protect parental and religious freedoms. Contact your legislators and express your opposition to SB 1031 today!

Contact Information

For further assistance, you can reach HSLDA by phone at (540) 338-5600, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.

Virginia Legislators' Contact Information

• Hashmi (Chair): 804-698-7515
• Lucas: 804-698-7518
• Locke: 804-698-7523
• Suetterlein: 804-698-7504
• Peake: 804-698-7508
• Pillion: 804-698-7506
• Favola: 804-698-7506
• Boysko: 804-698-7538
• Bagby: 804-698-7514
• Head: 804-698-7503
• Aird: 804-698-7513
• VanValkenburg: 804-698-7516
• Durant: 804-698-7527
• Pekarsky: 804-698-7536
• Craig: 804-698-7519