HB 5468 — AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROVISION OF PARENT-MANAGED LEARNING.

724 (B) Data relating to teachers shall include, but not be limited to, (i) teacher credentials, such as master's degrees, teacher preparation programs completed and certification levels and endorsement areas, (ii) teacher assessments, such as whether a teacher is deemed highly qualified pursuant to the No Child Left Behind Act, P.L.

(C) Data relating to schools and districts shall include, but not be limited to, (i) school population, (ii) annual student graduation rates, (iii) annual teacher retention rates, (iv) school disciplinary records, such as data relating to suspensions, expulsions and other disciplinary actions, (v) the percentage of students whose primary language is not English, (vi) the number of and professional credentials of support personnel, (vii) information relating to instructional technology, such as accessPublic toAct computers,No. (viii) disaggregated measures of school-based arrests pursuant to section 10-233n, [and] (ix) the measures and data required pursuant to section 10-17g for the evaluation of bilingual education programs, and (x) the number of children being instructed through parent-managed learning for whom an intent to educate form was completed or a withdrawal form was signed pursuant to section10- 184, as amended by this act.

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5468 access to computers, (viii) disaggregated measures of school-based arrests pursuant to section 10-233n, [and] (ix) the measures and data required pursuant to section 10-17g for the evaluation of bilingual education programs, and (x) the number of children being instructed through parent-managed learning for whom an intent to educate form was completed or a withdrawal form was signed pursuant to section10- 184, as amended by this act.

sHB5468(1) /The Fileperson No.named in the record or such person's authorized representative, provided such disclosure shall be limited to information (A) contained in the record about such person or about such person's biological or adoptive minor child, if such person's parental rights to such child have not been terminated;

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724 (1) The person named in the record or such person's authorized representative, provided such disclosure shall be limited to information (A) contained in the record about such person or about such person's biological or adoptive minor child, if such person's parental rights to such child have not been terminated;

(4) An attorney representing a parent, guardian or child in a petition filed in the Superior Court pursuant to section 17a-112 or 46b-129, providedPublic (A)Act ifNo. such records do not pertain to such attorney's client or such client's child, such records shall not be further disclosed to another individual or entity by such attorney except pursuant to the order of a court of competent jurisdiction, (B) if such records are confidential pursuant to federal law, such records shall not be disclosed to such attorney or such attorney's client unless such attorney or such attorney's client is otherwise entitled to such records, and (C) nothing in this subdivision shall limit the disclosure of records under subdivision (3) of this subsection;

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5468 provided (A) if such records do not pertain to such attorney's client or such client's child, such records shall not be further disclosed to another individual or entity by such attorney except pursuant to the order of a court of competent jurisdiction, (B) if such records are confidential pursuant to federal law, such records shall not be disclosed to such attorney or such attorney's client unless such attorney or such attorney's client is otherwise entitled to such records, and (C) nothing in this subdivision shall limit the disclosure of records under subdivision (3) of this subsection;

(7)The ChiefPublicDefender ortheChiefPublicDefender'sdesignee sHB5468for /purposes Fileof No.ensuring competent representation by the attorneys with whom the Chief Public Defender contracts to provide legal and guardian ad litem services to the subjects of such records and for ensuring accurate payments for services rendered by such attorneys;

724(8) sHB5468The FileChief State's Attorney or the Chief State's Attorney's designee for purposes of investigating or prosecuting (A) an allegation related to child abuse or neglect, (B) an allegation that an individual made a false report of suspected child abuse or neglect, (C) an allegation that a mandated reporter failed to report suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with section 17a-101a, provided such prosecuting authority shall have access to records of a child charged with the commission of a delinquent act, who is not being charged with an offense related to child abuse, only while the case is being prosecuted and after obtaining a release, or (D) an allegation of fraud in the receipt of public or private benefits, provided no information identifying the subject of the record Public Act No.

72426-37 for11 purposes of ensuring17 competentSubstitute representationHouse byBill theNo. attorneys with whom the Chief Public Defender contracts to provide legal and guardian ad litem services to the subjects of such records and for ensuring accurate payments for services rendered by such attorneys;

(8)5468 The Chief State's Attorney or the Chief State's Attorney's designee for purposes of investigating or prosecuting (A) an allegation related to child abuse or neglect, (B) an allegation that an individual made a false report of suspected child abuse or neglect, (C) an allegation that a mandated reporter failed to report suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with section 17a-101a, provided such prosecuting authority shall have access to records of a child charged with the commission of a delinquent act, who is not being charged with an offense related to child abuse, only while the case is being prosecuted and after obtaining a release, or (D) an allegation of fraud in the receipt of public or private benefits, provided no information identifying the subject of the record is disclosed unless such information is essential to such investigation or prosecution;

(11) The Governor, when requested in writing in the course of the sHB5468Governor's /official Filefunctions, No.the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services, the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the judiciary or the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children, when requested in writing by any of such committees in the course of such committee's official functions, and upon a majority vote of such committee, provided no name or other identifying information is disclosed unless such information is essential to the gubernatorial or legislative purpose;

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724 Governor's official functions, the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services, the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the judiciary or the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children, when requested in writing by any of such committees in the course of such committee's official functions, and upon a majority vote of such committee, provided no name or other identifying information is disclosed unless such information is essential to the gubernatorial or legislative purpose;

(B) determining thePublic suitabilityAct ofNo. such person for licensure;

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5468 the suitability of such person for licensure;

At the time that a parent or guardian completes an application for enrollment of a child in the Department of Developmental Services' children's services program, or at the time that said department updates a child's annual individualized plan of care, said department shall notify such parent or guardian that the Department of Children and Families may provide records to the DepartmentofDevelopmentalServicesforthepurposesspecifiedinthis sHB5468subdivision /without Filethe No.consent of such parent or guardian;

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724 subdivision without the consent of such parent or guardian;

(16) A judge or employee of a Probate Court who requires access to such records in order to perform such judge's or employee's official duties;Public Act No.

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5468 duties;

(22) The superintendent of schools for any school district for the sHB5468purpose /of Filedetermining No.the suitability of a person to be employed by the local or regional board of education for such school district pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-221d;

724(23) sHB5468The FileDepartment of Motor Vehicles for the purpose of criminal history records checks pursuant to subsection (e) of section 14-44, provided information disclosed pursuant to this subdivision shall be limited to information included on the Department of Children and Familieschildabuse andneglect registryestablishedpursuant to section Public Act No.

72426-37 purpose14 of determining17 theSubstitute suitabilityHouse ofBill aNo. person to be employed by the local or regional board of education for such school district pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-221d;

(23)5468 The Department of Motor Vehicles for the purpose of criminal history records checks pursuant to subsection (e) of section 14-44, provided information disclosed pursuant to this subdivision shall be limited to information included on the Department of Children and Familieschildabuse andneglect registryestablishedpursuant to section 17a-101k, subject to the provisions of sections 17a-101g and 17a-101k concerning the nondisclosure of findings of responsibility for abuse and neglect;

(27) The Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch, for the purpose of (A) determining the supervision and treatment needs of a child or youth or any other person, and provide appropriate supervision and treatment services to such child or youth or any other sHB5468person, /or File(B) No.sharing common case records to track recidivism of juvenile offenders;

724(28)The sHB5468birth-to-threeprogram'sreferralintake Fileoffice forthepurpose of (A) determining eligibility of, (B) facilitating enrollment for, and (C) providing services to (i) substantiated victims of child abuse and neglect Public Act No.

72426-37 person,15 orof (B)17 sharingSubstitute commonHouse caseBill recordsNo. to track recidivism of juvenile offenders;

(28)The5468 birth-to-threeprogram'sreferralintake office forthepurpose of (A) determining eligibility of, (B) facilitating enrollment for, and (C) providing services to (i) substantiated victims of child abuse and neglect with suspected developmental delays, and (ii) newborns impacted by withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure;

(33) Any individual, upon the request of such individual, when the information concerns an incident of abuse or neglect that resulted in the fatality or near fatality of a child or youth, provided (A) such disclosure shall belimited to (i)the cause and circumstancesof such fatality or near fatality, (ii) the age and gender of such child or youth, (iii) a description sHB5468of /any Fileprevious reports of or investigations into child abuse or neglect that are relevant to the child abuse or neglect that led to such fatality or near fatality, (iv) the findings of any such investigations, and (v) a Public Act No.

72426-37 sHB546816 Fileof 17 Substitute House Bill No.

7245468 of any previous reports of or investigations into child abuse or neglect that are relevant to the child abuse or neglect that led to such fatality or near fatality, (iv) the findings of any such investigations, and (v) a description of any services provided and actions taken by the state on behalf of such child or youth that are relevant to the child abuse or neglect that led to such fatality or near fatality, and (B) the department shall not make any disclosure that is prohibited by the provisions of any relevant federal law, including, but not limited to, Titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act, as amended from time to time.

ThisGovernor's actAction: shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:

SectionApproved 1May July26, 1,2026 2027Public 10-184Act Sec.No.

226-37 July17 1,of 202617 New section Sec.

3 July 1, 2026 10-188 Sec.

4 July 1, 2027 10-10a(c)(1) Sec.

5 July 1, 2026 17a-28(g) sHB5468 / File No.

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724 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.

In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.

Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:

Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 27 $ FY 28 $ Children & Families, Dept.

GF - Cost 165,000 None Education, Dept.

GF - Cost 50,000 None Children & Families, Dept.

GF - Potential None 23,400 Cost Note:

GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:

Municipalities Effect FY 27 $ FY 28 $ Local and Regional School STATE None Potential Districts MANDATE Minimal - Potential Cost Explanation The bill, which establishes a regulatory framework for students educated in a setting other than public or nonpublic school, results in:

(1) a one-time cost of $165,000 in FY 27 and an annual potential cost of $23,400 beginning in FY 28 to the Department of Children and Families (DCF);

(2) a one-time cost of $50,000 in FY 27 to the State Department of Education (SDE);

and (3) potential costs to local and regional boards of education (BOEs) that are anticipated to be minimal beginning in FY 28.

The fiscal impacts are described by section below.

1State mandate is defined in Sec.

2-32b(2) of the Connecticut General Statutes, "state mandate" means any state initiated constitutional, statutory or executive action that requires a local government to establish, expand or modify its activities in such a way as to necessitate additional expenditures from local revenues.

sHB5468 / File No.

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724 Section 1 results in potential minimal staffing costs to BOEs annually beginning in FY 28.

It is anticipated that some BOEs may need to hire additional staff to implement the bill's regulatory framework, which includes requirements for BOEs to:

(1) receive specific forms;

(2) in certain situations, make multiple attempts to contact families;

and (3) initiate a check of DCF records (see below) and notify families whether a child's withdrawal is effective and if not, the reason why.

The number of staff hired will vary based on the number of students subject to the framework.

Additionally, Section 1 requires certain checks of DCF records when parents submit a form to withdraw their children from public school for parent-managed learning, resulting in a cost to DCF of $165,000 in FY and a potential cost of $23,400 in FY 28 (and annually thereafter).

DCF requires $165,000 in FY 27 to expand the capabilities of the existing new hire background check portal accessible to BOEs to include anewparent-managedlearningsearchcategory.Thesearchwilldisplay child abuse and neglect registry data currently made available in the system as well as whether the person is currently under investigation by DCF, as the bill requires.

DCF may also need an additional Careline processing technician (0.5 FTE) at an annualized salary of $23,400, beginning in FY 28, to support any increase in case search volume associated with the bill's requirements.

The framework established by the bill requires:

(1) parents who withdraw a student from public school to sign a withdrawal form in person, beginning in FY 28;

(2) an intent to educate form annually for all children, beginning in FY 29;

(3) BOEs to attempt to contact parentswho do not submit required intent to educate forms by November 1, beginning in FY 29, and if they are unable to contact the parents they must notify SDE;

and (4) superintendents to initiate a records check within two business days of receiving a withdrawal form, beginning in FY 28.

sHB5468 / File No.

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724 Sections 2 – 4 result in a one-time cost of $50,000 to SDE in FY 27 to:

(1) develop various forms for the framework established in Section 1 and for non-public schools pursuant to Section 3;

and (2) update the statewide education data system to include data about students being instructed through parent-managed learning.

Section 5 makes a conforming and procedural change which has no fiscal impact.

House "A" eliminates the original bill and its associated fiscal impact, and results in the impact described above.

The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to the number of students subject to the framework.

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724 OLR Bill Analysis sHB 5468 (as amended by House "A")* AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROVISION OF EQUIVALENT INSTRUCTION.

SUMMARY Starting with the 2028-29 school year, this bill requires parents or guardians (“parents”) of most school-age children to annually complete (or cause to be completed) an intent to educate form indicating whether theirchildwill(1)enrollinapublicschool,(2)attendanonpublicschool, or (3) be instructed through parent-managed learning (such as homeschooling).

The forms must be submitted to the school district where the parent resides by October 1 and may be submitted electronically.

The bill deems parents in compliance with this requirement if their child attends a public school or if the nonpublic school the child attends files the required annual attendance report.

Starting with the 2027-28 school year, the bill requires parents who withdraw a child from public school to go, in person, to the school district’s office and sign a withdrawal form.

It also prohibits parents withdrawing their child for parent-managed learning from doing so if any adult living with the child is on the state’s child abuse and neglect registry or currently under investigation for child abuse or neglect.

The bill requires the district’s superintendent to conduct a records check with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to determine whether a child may be withdrawn for parent-managed learning.

The bill also requires:

1.

the State Department of Education (SDE) to create the intent to educate and withdrawal forms and make them available to school districts (§ 2) and sHB5468 / File No.

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724 2.

school boards to report to SDE the number of children being instructed through parent-managed learning for whom an intent to educate form was completed (§ 4).

Lastly, the bill makes technical and conforming changes.

*House Amendment “A” modifies the underlying bill by, among other things, (1) renaming “equivalent instruction” as “parent-managed learning;” (2) making the intent to educate form an annual requirement andeliminating thecontinuationform;(3)allowing theintentto educate form to be submitted electronically;

(4) requiring all adults (rather than just theparent)residing withachildwho is being withdrawnfor parent- managed learning to be checked against DCF records, but narrowing the circumstances under which withdrawal is prohibited;

(5) modifying procedures for the required DCF records check;

and (6) removing provisions (a) explicitly allowing students receiving equivalent instruction to participate in certain public school activities and (b) granting school boards additional funding through ECS (education cost sharing) to complete their obligations under the bill.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

July 1, 2027, except the requirement for SDE to create the forms and the conforming changes are effective July 1, 2026.

PARENT-MANAGED LEARNING Under the state’s current compulsory school attendance law, parents must either send their children to public school or show they are otherwise receiving instruction equivalent to the one provided in public school (with certain exceptions, such as parents opting to delay school for a five- or six-year-old).

The bill modifies this law to specifically require parents to (1) send their child to public or nonpublic school or (2) instruct them in the studies taught in public school through “parent-managed learning” (education managed by a child’s parent or guardian in a setting other than a public or nonpublic school).

Under existing law and the bill, regardless of educational setting, children must receive instruction in sHB5468 / File No.

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724 reading, writing,spelling, Englishgrammar,geography,arithmetic,and United States history and citizenship (including town, state, and federal governments).

INTENT TO EDUCATE FORM Submission Requirement Starting with the 2028-29 school year, the bill requires certain parents to annually complete (or cause to be completed) an intent to educate form indicating whether their child will (1) enroll in a public school, (2) attend a nonpublic school, or (3) be instructed through parent-managed learning.

It applies to parents of children:

1.

enrolled in public school;

2.

attending nonpublic school;

3.

instructed through parent-managed learning (a) that are newly eligible for kindergarten (by turning five before September 1 of the school year) or (b) for whom an intent to educate or a withdrawal form was submitted the prior school year;

4.

for whom an option form was signed (the parent opted to defer their five- or six-year-old from starting school, as allowed under existing law and the bill);

and 5.

who move to a different school district or withdraw from a nonpublic school during the school year.

The requirement to submit the intent to educate form does not apply to parents of children currently being instructed through parent- managed learning unless they move into a new school district.

Under the bill, a parent is deemed in compliance with the requirement to submit the intent to educate form if the (1) child attends a public school or (2) nonpublic school the child attends files the annual attendance report it must submit under existing law.

Submission Procedure sHB5468 / File No.

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724 Under the bill, intent to educate forms must be submitted by October 1, to the school district office for the town where the parent resides, and they may becompleted andsubmittedelectronically.

Parents who move into a district have 14 days to complete the form.

Nonpublic Schools The bill requires parents of children who will attend a nonpublic schoolto submit evidence ofthat fact (for example,anacceptance letter).

Procedure When Forms Are Not Submitted Under the bill, if a school board does not receive an intent to educate form from a parent required to submit by November 1 (and the parent is not deemed compliant as described above), the board must make at least three attempts to contact the parent to tell them they must submit the form.

If the board cannot make contact by November 1, the bill requires the school board to notify SDE that it has not received the form.

WITHDRAWALS FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL Starting with the 2027-28 school year, the bill requires parents who withdraw a child from public school to go, in person, to the school district’s office and sign a withdrawal form.

Withdrawals for Nonpublic School If the child is withdrawing to attend a nonpublic school, the parent must show evidence that the child will attend the school.

The child’s withdrawal is complete when the school district receives this evidence.

Withdrawals for Parent-Managed Learning If a child is withdrawing for parent-managed learning, the withdrawal is not effective until the superintendent completes a records check with DCF.

The bill specifies that this check does not constitute a report of suspected child abuse or neglect.

Under the bill, within two days after receiving a withdrawal form, the superintendent (or his or her designee) must conduct a records check with DCF for each person ages 18 or older who lives with the sHB5468 / File No.

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724 child.

The bill specifically allows DCF to release information from its records to school boards in order to complete the bill’s requirement.

The recordscheck must identify whether anyofthe adultsliving with the child are (1) on the state child abuse and neglect registry or (2) currently under DCF investigation for child abuse or neglect.

If so, the child may not be withdrawn.

Within five days after starting the records check, the superintendent must notify the parent whether the withdrawal is effective.

If it is not, the superintendent must tell the parent (1) the reason the withdrawal is not effective and (2) how he or she may challenge the records check findings, including appropriate DCF contact information.

DCF as a State Educational Authority The bill also deems DCF to be a state educational authority under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) for the records check and allows it to receive the educational records of any child for whom a withdrawal form is signed.

COMMITTEE ACTION Education Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 26 Nay 20 (03/18/2026) Appropriations Committee Joint Favorable Yea 34 Nay 19 (04/17/2026) sHB5468 / File No.

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