Law watch: recent changes

Changes and pending bills noted in our records (compiled October 27, 2026). Bill outcomes marked “not verified” should be checked with official legislative sites.

37 of 56 jurisdictions have a noted change or open item. Not legal advice.

• New Hampshire · Minimal regulation

  HB 1268 signed July 2026 (effective July 1, 2026) made declarations, evaluations and recordkeeping optional except when leaving public school or using public-school programs.

• New Jersey · Minimal regulation

  HSLDA lists NJ S3910, A3394, A1886, S741/A1341 among 2026 bills (outcomes not verified).

• Iowa · Minimal regulation

  HF 2754 (effective May 12, 2026): removed IPI four-unrelated-student cap and tuition ban; recognizes parent-issued diplomas/transcripts; simplified Form A.

• Oklahoma · Minimal regulation

  70 O.S. 10-105 was last amended by Laws 2024 c.128 (eff. July 1, 2024). HSLDA's 2020 summary says 'teach for 180 days'; OSDE's Sep 2025 page calls 180 days/6 hours a recommendation, not a legal requirement.

• Puerto Rico · Minimal regulation

  Ley 85-2018 text read from the OGP copy (revised July 8, 2026). HSLDA's own map colors PR 'Low' (notification) while its text says no notice is required - inconsistency noted.

• Arkansas · Minimal regulation

  HSLDA notes: 2021 HB 1429 shortened pre-withdrawal wait from 14 to 5 days. Secondary aggregator reports universal LEARNS Education Freedom Account in 2025-26 (not verified).

• Connecticut · Minimal regulation

  P.A. 26-37 (2026) phases in withdrawal background checks (July 1, 2027) and annual notice (July 1, 2028). Scores reflect current law; dataset must be re-scored when provisions take effect.

• Mississippi · Minimal regulation

  HSLDA page updated 2026-10-22; MDE certificate-of-enrollment form dated 2026-09-17 (linked by HSLDA).

• Utah · Minimal regulation

  Utah Code 53G-6-204 as effective May 7, 2025 (2025 General Session chapters 173, 284, 370).

• Wyoming · Minimal regulation

  HSLDA lists Wyoming HB 149 among 2026 bills (outcome not verified).

• Illinois · Minimal regulation

  Secondary aggregator reports HB 2827 stalled in 2025 (not verified).

• South Dakota · Minimal regulation

  HSLDA lists SD HB 1168 among 2026 bills (outcome not verified).

• Nebraska · Low regulation

  Rule 13 revision (2026) loosened requirements; NDE summary said approval by Governor was pending as of May 2026. HSLDA 2025 page predates it. LB 1224 and LB 1112 are on HSLDA's 2026 tracker.

• Ohio · Low regulation

  ORC 3321.042 effective Oct 3, 2023 (House Bill 33, 135th General Assembly).

• Missouri · Low regulation

  The home-school definition and requirements moved from RSMo 167.031 to new section 167.012 (L. 2024 HB 2287 merged with SB 727; amended by 2025 SB 63; version effective Aug 28, 2025). HSLDA lists Missouri HB 2426 among 2026 bills (outcome not verified).

• New Mexico · Low regulation

  HSLDA page updated 2026-02-24.

• Kansas · Low regulation

  HSLDA lists Kansas SB 491 and HB 2717 among 2026 bills (outcomes not verified).

• California · Low regulation

  HSLDA page updated 2026-10-07: PSPs must determine whether they must comply with the Safe Learning Environments Act (effective July 1, 2026).

• Kentucky · Low regulation

  HSLDA page dated 2020; KDE 2026-27 packet confirms annual notice. HSLDA lists KY HB 275/HB 298 among 2026 bills (outcome not verified).

• Alabama · Low regulation

  HSLDA page updated 2025-07-01. A secondary aggregator reports a CHOOSE Act ESA program began in 2025-26 (not verified).

• Oregon · Low regulation

  HSLDA page is dated 2020; ODE site confirms notice and testing grades.

• Georgia · Low regulation

  HSLDA page updated 2025-07-01. Secondary aggregator mentions Georgia Promise Scholarship year two in 2026-27 (not verified).

• Maryland · Low regulation

  2019 regulation change removed any right to see the child at review (per HSLDA).

• Hawaii · Moderate regulation

  HSLDA lists Hawaii SB 3193/HB 2376 among 2026 bills (outcome not verified).

• West Virginia · Moderate regulation

  HSLDA tracks WV SB 116, HB 5053, SB 972/HB 5669 in 2026 (outcomes not verified).

• Vermont · Moderate regulation

  2023 amendments loosened requirements. HSLDA lists VT H.930 among 2026 bills (outcome not verified).

• Tennessee · Moderate regulation

  HB 1729 / SB 2636 (2026) expanded assessment options. HSLDA also tracks SB 2636/HB 1729.

• Rhode Island · Moderate regulation

  HSLDA lists RI HB 8531 among 2026 bills (outcome not verified).

• Maine · Moderate regulation

  HSLDA lists state officials' 'demands that don't square with law' (2025); no statute change identified.

• Washington · Moderate regulation

  HSLDA lists Washington SB 6261 among 2026 bills (outcome not verified).

• Colorado · Moderate regulation

  HSLDA page updated 2025-11-19.

• Minnesota · Moderate regulation

  HSLDA lists MN SF 4458 and HF 3239/SF 3439 among 2026 bills (outcomes not verified).

• American Samoa · High regulation

  Statute text (A.S.C.A. 16.0302, 16.0701-16.0706) re-read on 2026-10-27; history lines show 1962 PL 7-15, with 16.0302 last amended 2006 (PL 29-28). HSLDA summary dated 2020; ED.gov chart last updated 2017.

• Northern Mariana Islands · High regulation

  CNMI PSS publishes a revised 2024 Home Study Application Packet (not reviewed in full).

• U.S. Virgin Islands · High regulation

  Board Home Education Policy (signed 2023) is more detailed than HSLDA's 2025 summary; HSLDA disputes validity of the Board's 2016 regulations - NEEDS VERIFICATION of which rules are currently enforced.

• New York · High regulation

  HSLDA lists NY S4037/A323 and S199/A2326 among 2026 bills (outcomes not verified).

• Pennsylvania · High regulation

  PDE's Home Education Program BEC shows a review date of Aug 10, 2026. Since 2023-24 districts must allow home-educated students to take part in co-curricular activities, academic courses and CTE (24 P.S. 13-1327.1(f.2)).