HB209 ensures that families no longer need to file an annual affidavit or declare a criminal background to homeschool at the start of the school year. Instead, parents only need to send a one-time “notification” or letter of intent to the local school board, which must acknowledge receipt.

The Utah State House of Representatives passed HB209 on March 5, 2025 by a vote of 62 to 13. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because this bill is a step toward affirming the fundamental right of parents to direct the education of their children, consistent with all other fundamental rights, are guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights and 14th Amendment. Education is not a proper function of government, and this legislation appropriately limits government involvement in homeschooling. We encourage all parents to get their children out of government schools and instead pursue sound alternatives including homeschooling and patriotic private schools, such as FreedomProject Academy, that are not government funded.