🚨 Nebraska lawmakers are pushing L.B. 1224, a dangerous bill that targets homeschooling, treats parents as guilty before proven innocent, and hands sweeping new powers to state agencies – all under the guise of “child protection.”
This bill does not go after abusers.
It goes after parents who haven’t been charged, convicted, or proven to have done anything wrong.
Here is what L.B. 1224 would do if it becomes law:
• 🚫 Ban parents from starting homeschooling based on suspicion alone.
If DHHS receives any report of abuse or neglect – even one that is false, malicious, or later ruled unfounded — parents would be legally blocked from homeschooling their own child for up to 60 days or longer, while an investigation drags on.
• 🚫 Force government notification and tracking of families.
The state would notify the child’s current school and the Commissioner of Education that the family is forbidden from homeschooling, creating a statewide paper trail on unproven accusations.
• 🚫 Trigger police involvement for exercising parental rights.
If a parent who is suspected of a crime files homeschool paperwork anyway, or if a school receives a transfer request, law enforcement must be immediately notified – effectively treating homeschool paperwork like a criminal act.
• 🚫 Give unelected bureaucrats sweeping rulemaking power.
DHHS would be granted authority to create new procedures and enforcement mechanisms without further legislative approval, opening the door to expanding restrictions later.
• 🚫 Create a homeschool-specific criminal class.
People convicted of certain crimes would be permanently barred from teaching or supervising in a homeschool – even though criminal law already allows courts to restrict parental rights when appropriate. This singles out homeschoolers as uniquely dangerous, without evidence.
This bill flips a core American principle upside down: Innocent until proven guilty.
Most child abuse investigations are closed as unfounded, yet this bill would punish families immediately, forcing children to remain in failing schools, unsafe classrooms, or bullying environments while the state “sorts it out.”
And IMAGINE the weapon this would become against families! Arguing with the local superintendent? Disagreeing with a they/them teaching children that they’re a cat? Boom – DHHS is called and now your kid is STUCK in that system.
Nebraska families deserve better. Sign your petition right away telling your State Senator to vote NO on this bill!
Once you’ve signed your petition, please consider chipping in $5 to help HFC protect homeschoolers rights!