2023 CHAP Convention

  • CHAP was honored to host four Representatives: Joseph D’Orsie, Tom Jones, Robert Leadbeter, and David Zimmerman. Also, two district office managers were in attendance. It was an encouraging meeting, and CHAP looks forward to working with these legislators. It was a positive experience that we hope to build upon.
  • A number of Representatives who were unable to attend advised us that they look forward to working with CHAP.

Pennsylvania House

Since our last report, 123 bills have been referred to the Education Committee. Of that total, 115 are currently in the committee and eight bills have passed out of the committee. There are two bills that should be of interest to PA homeschoolers.

  • HB 514, formerly HB 1134, is entitled “Education Savings Accounts.” HSLDA is concerned that there could be an overreach as government money would flow to homeschoolers. HSLDA believes it is possible that it could be a drafting error in the bill. Time will tell as we get more information. Previously, we expressed CHAP’s concern to legislators about that issue.
  • HB 552, a bill proposed by Rep. David Zimmerman (R) to exempt homeschoolers, homeschool co-ops, and church schools who are not taking direct taxpayer dollars to operate their schools from the requirements, guidelines, mandates, or the orders of any declaration of disaster/emergency made by the Governor or any state agency or entity. It places such decisions back in the hands of non-public schools and homeschoolers who know what is best for their children and students. Last term, Representative Zimmerman submitted this bill and CHAP supported it.

Pennsylvania Senate

Since our last report, 60 bills have been referred to the Education Committee. Of that total, 49 bills are currently before the committee and 11 have passed out of the committee. None of those bills has an impact on PA homeschoolers.

Other

Earlier this month in a special election for one of the House seats representing Delaware County, Heather Boyd (D) was elected ensuring the Democrats of a 102-101 majority. Her primary reason for seeking the office was “to ensure improved funding of public education.”

Brad serves as the Vice President of the CHAP Board; he is also chairman of our Legislation Committee. He is a practicing attorney for 33 years and is an adjunct faculty member at Cairn University. Brad reads all proposed legislation that comes before the education committees in Harrisburg to determine the impact on homeschooling families in Pennsylvania. Brad strives to encourage and protect Christian homeschooling families in our Commonwealth.