Connecticut
Connecticut Senate approves bill introducing new regulations on homeschooling families
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — With a nearly party-line vote, the Connecticut State Senate gave final approval to a bill introducing new regulations on homeschooling families.
Twenty-two Democrats voted in favor, with three others joining the entire 11-member Republican caucus in opposition.
The bill that was put before senators for debate is a modified version of one that was first introduced in March, drawing a sizable protest of homeschooling families who viewed the attempt at new regulations as an afront to their autonomy.
The original legislation would have required homeschooling parents to annually provide proof that their curriculum aligned with a general set of state-mandated topics. It also included a provision requiring that parents seeking to remove their child from the public school system first be subjected to a background check of sorts in which school officials would consult the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to see if anyone in the child’s household had a history of abuse.
The legislation was introduced amidst a string of alarming headlines documenting cases of alleged child abuse and, in two cases, the deaths of children who had been removed from the public school system.
The Democrats backing the bill have pointed to these cases as illustrating the need for reform. They have also repeatedly cited a 2018 report compiled by the state’s Office of the Child Advocate which surveyed six school districts and found “that over a span of three academic years, 2013 through 2016, there were 380 students withdrawn from the six districts to be homeschooled, and that 138 of these children (36%) lived in families that were the subject of at least one prior accepted report to DCF for suspected abuse or neglect.”
Republicans largely sided with the sentiments of the homeschooling parents, who felt they were being unfairly scapegoated. They also questioned the effectiveness of the measures introduced by Democrats, arguing some of them, like the requirement to provide proof of instruction, were burdensome, while not directly addressing the issue of abuse.
In the weeks following the public hearing, Democratic leadership in the House also registered discontent with certain sections among their own ranks.
The fierce Republican opposition, paired with scattered Democratic dissent, caused House leadership to remove the curriculum portion while maintaining a DCF check before removal from public schools and a requirement that homeschooling parents annually register themselves online.
A spokesperson for Gov. Ned Lamont said Monday that the governor is likely to sign the legislation.
One person is dead after a double shooting in Hartford, police said.
ShotSpotter notified police of shots fired around 7 p.m. on Magnolia Street.
When officers got to the scene, they found a woman unresponsive in the driver’s seat of a vehicle.
Police identified the victim as 46-year-old Diana Tirado of New Britain. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
There was another woman in her 30s with a gunshot wound on the sidewalk. She was taken to the hospital, where she is listed in stable condition. Her identity has not been released.
Police have not identified a suspect at this time.
More than 200 people gathered May 28 in Norwalk for a night of food and entertainment supporting Connecticut Foodshare’s mission to fight food insecurity.
The second annual Taste of SoNo brought together local restaurants, business leaders, community partners, volunteers, donors, and supporters to celebrate Fairfield County’s vibrant culinary community.
The event took place in The Magnificent Room at the SoNo Collection.
Guests sampled offerings from more than a dozen local restaurants, distilleries, breweries, and other exhibitors.
They also learned more about Connecticut Foodshare’s work through its network of community partners, mobile pantries, and other hunger-relief programs.
Community Impact
The evening featured live music and a silent auction with dining, music, and sports experiences, along with artwork and sports memorabilia.
“We are extremely thankful to everyone who attended and supported Connecticut Foodshare through this event,” said Connecticut Foodshare president and CEO Jason Jakubowski.
“The generosity of our restaurant partners, sponsors, volunteers, and guests helps us continue our mission.”
Connecticut Foodshare’s Jason Jakubowski
“The generosity of our restaurant partners, sponsors, volunteers, and guests helps us continue our mission to end hunger in Connecticut and ensure that families facing food insecurity have access to the nutritious food they need.”
Connecticut Foodshare hosted the event for the second year and has already started planning next year’s Taste of SoNo.
Mainly dry with more clouds and a spotty shower/storm today! Briefly humid conditions with some rain/thunder tomorrow before dry and less humid weather returns again for Friday, Juneteenth. We need rain, as parts of Connecticut continue to experience moderate drought conditions and the next drought update comes out tomorrow! So far, the Father’s Day weekend is looking mainly dry and nice!
The tropical Atlantic remains mostly quiet, with only one area in the western Gulf. At this point, it has a 50% chance of development over the next 7 days. The circulation will bring severe flooding inland from Texas through the southeast!
Early this morning: A few clouds and still comfortable with lows 50-59. A pretty sunrise possible in parts of CT.
Today: Clouds and sun with still low humidity. A widely scattered shower or t-storm in the afternoon/evening. The highest chance will be in the western half of Connecticut. Highs 75-80.
Tonight: A bit windy for the evening with rising humidity overnight. Some spotty light rain possible late. Lows 60-65.
Tomorrow: Humid and windy with more numerous showers and storms. Not all day rain & some sunny breaks too! There is a strong storm potential with a strong wind gust. Highs in the upper 70s to the low 80s. Wind gusts to 35 mph.
Friday (Juneteenth): Clouds and sun and less humid. Rain just south of Long Island. Windy with highs 75-80
Saturday: Partly sunny, windy and nice with highs near 80.
Sunday (Father’s Day and 1st Day of Summer): Mostly sunny, breezy and pleasant. Highs near 80.
Monday: Beneficial rain with highs in the 70s.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny and warmer with highs 80-85.
Wednesday: Partly sunny. Highs in the low to mid 80s.
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