Sen. Berthel Commends Homeschool Families

HARTFORD – State Sen. Eric Berthel (R-Watertown) today celebrated the news that legislation negatively impacting homeschool families in Connecticut will not be taken up during the 2025 legislative session.

“This is great news for thousands of law abiding homeschool families in this state. My message to them is that their voices and advocacy made the difference. This issue was never about homeschooling, and rather criminal acts that happened in Waterbury. Homeschool families deserve support—not suspicion, surveillance, or bureaucratic obstacles.

“I am proud to see that the voices of homeschool families were heard. I encourage them, and all families in the state, to not let up between now and the end of the legislative session. We need your collective voice on many other unpopular Democrat issues coming through the legislature,” he said.

Background

Last week, Sen. Berthel extended his support to the thousands of homeschool families that descended on Capitol to defend homeschooling freedoms in Connecticut. This grassroots effort came as majority Democrats pushed to expand government oversight and punish parents for the failures of state institutions like the Department of Social Services.

The Democratic homeschool policy recommendations were based on a report from the Office of the Childhood Advocate, and were outlined at an informational hearing at the State Capitol on May 5. The recommendations included new, invasive government mandates on reporting requirements for homeschool families—despite the absence of a formal public hearing to allow parental input.