Key Parental Rights for Homeschoolers Protected!

AB 500 requires every public and private school that already has an “employee code of conduct with pupils” to provide a copy of it to the parents of each student enrolled in that school. This bill addresses problems in public and private schools dealing with school employees (including teachers) having inappropriate contacts or relationships with pupils.

After evaluating the problem with AB 500, working with HSLDA, and consulting with CHEA and others, FPM submitted a request for an amendment to AB 500, which was accepted.

Our amendment exempts private schools consisting only of parents and their children from the requirements of this bill. FPM’s Nathan Pierce presented the reasons for the amendment to the author and his staff, and to committee staff. The author accepted our amendment, which was passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Brown on October 8, 2017. Our amendment to AB 500 clearly states that the new law “does not apply to a private school composed of parents or guardians working exclusively with their own children.”

AB 500 only impacts PSPs (Private School Satellite Programs) that maintain a section on employee interactions with pupils in its employee code of conduct. If so, the school will be required after July 1, 2018 to provide a written copy of the section to the parent or guardian. And if the school has a website, to post the information on the site for public access.

The addition of our amendment into the law also confirms again, the legal existence of home-based private schools and further protects the legitimacy of parents privately teaching their children at home in California, under the private school exemption in the Education Code.

AB 500 is an example of one of the kinds of opportunities that God provides to us to work quietly behind the scenes to achieve positive results without having to ask for phone calls or letters.

It is with gratitude to God and for your prayers and support that we share this important victory with you! Without your support, we would not be able to advocate on your behalf on bills like AB 500.