Timeline of 5468 Changes

this bill is very clearly layered by implementation year, and laying it out this way makes it MUCH easier to understand (and explain to others).

Here is a clean, timeline-style breakdown you can use for posts, handouts, or legislators:

🧭 HB 5468 (LCO 4428) — IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE

🟡 JULY 1, 2026 — PHASE 1 (FOUNDATION + DATA SYSTEMS)

What starts first:

📝 Forms Created

  • State Department of Education must create:
    • Intent to Educate Form
    • Withdrawal Form

👉 This is the infrastructure stage

🏫 Nonpublic School Reporting Begins

  • Private/nonpublic schools must:
    • File annual attendance reports to the state

👉 Expands statewide education data collection

🔓 Expanded Data Sharing (DCF Records Access)

  • Broad expansion of who can access DCF-related records
  • Includes schools and state entities

👉 This is a data-sharing expansion phase

🟠 JULY 1, 2027 — PHASE 2 (CONTROL + WITHDRAWAL CHANGES)

This is where things materially change for families

⚖️ Homeschooling Redefined in Law

  • Creates:
    • “Parent-Managed Learning” category

👉 Homeschooling becomes a regulated legal classification

🚨 Withdrawal Process Changes (CRITICAL)

If withdrawing from public school to homeschool:

  • Parent must:
    • Appear in person
    • File withdrawal form
  • Then:
    • School triggers DCF records check on entire household
    • Includes:
      • Registry status
      • Active investigations
  • If flagged:
    ❌ Withdrawal is denied
    ❌ Child cannot be homeschooled

⏳ State Approval Required

  • Withdrawal is NOT immediate
  • Must wait for:
    • Review
    • Superintendent approval

👉 This is a shift from:
Parent decision ➝ State-controlled permission

📊 State Begins Tracking ALL Homeschoolers

  • State must track:
    • Number of children in parent-managed learning – no exceptions – no grandfathering

👉 This is the formal tracking phase

🔴 JULY 1, 2028 — PHASE 3 (FULL IMPLEMENTATION / COMPLIANCE)

This is where the system becomes fully operational

📄 Annual Intent to Educate REQUIRED

Every year, by October 1:

Parents must declare:

  • Public school
  • Private school
  • Parent-managed learning (homeschool)

🏠 Applies to:

  • Homeschool families
  • Private school families
  • Some public school cases (auto-compliance)

📬 Enforcement Begins

If form is NOT submitted:

  • School must:
    • Attempt contact 3 times
  • Then:
    • Report family to State Department of Education

👉 Creates compliance enforcement pipeline

🔁 Additional Triggers

New filings required if:

  • Family moves
  • Child switches schools
  • Child leaves private school

⚠️ SIMPLIFIED VIEW (FOR QUICK SHARING)

2026 → Build the system

  • Forms
  • Data collection
  • Reporting requirements

2027 → Control access

  • Redefine homeschool
  • Gatekeep withdrawal
  • DCF checks

2028 → Enforce compliance

  • Annual registration
  • Tracking
  • Enforcement for noncompliance

💬 ONE-LINE SUMMARY

👉 “This bill builds the system in 2026, enforces control in 2027, and mandates compliance in 2028.”