CRHE celebrates the organization’s inaugural legislative win  

For immediate release

April 17, 2026

Washington, DC – LB1224, introduced by Senator Megan Hunt, was signed into law on April 16th, 2026, making Nebraska a leader in safety for homeschooled children. 

As a part of LB 937, the omnibus education package, two key findings from the Homeschooling’s Invisible Children database are addressed in legislation. Under this new Nebraska law, withdrawal from school to homeschool under suspicious circumstances (an active child welfare investigation) is prevented for 14 days. Across the country, reactive withdrawal from school was part of over ⅓ of the worst cases of abuse, neglect and fatality, and this legislation addresses this by facilitating a wait period where support and communication can be facilitated. Additionally, perpetrators with specific convictions of crimes against children are also prevented from homeschooling – another opportunity for protection, supported by our HIC data.  

Passage of this bill is a historic moment for CRHE, marking the first passage of a recommendation of the Make Homeschool Safe Act. CRHE staff, alumni and partners testified in person and via written comments to the Education Committee, and participated in ongoing collaboration with area organizations and efforts to ensure that safety and protection of homeschooled children was given fair consideration by all legislators. The legislation passed unanimously, with all 49 state senators of the Unicameral voting in favor of LB 937. 

“We are grateful to the Nebraska legislators, and Senator Hunt especially, for addressing a critical policy gap,” said CRHE’s executive director Tess Ulrey. “Every homeschooled child has the right to a quality education in a safe home, and their caregivers – who are also their educators – need standards and accountability.”  

“Our analysis of patterns in hundreds of homeschool abuse cases makes it patently clear that withdrawal from school to homeschool can endanger children under certain circumstances,” said Dr Jonah Stewart, who leads CRHE’s research efforts. “And yet commonsense protections that would safeguard against such risk are regularly shot down in state legislatures when proposed. We applaud Nebraska legislators for prioritizing children’s right to safety in this watershed bill, and we thank Governor Pillen for signing it into law.”

There are still 48 states where withdrawal during investigation is allowed, and 47 where parents convicted of crimes against children can homeschool. CRHE implores elected officials and leaders in additional states to follow Nebraska’s lead, and implement basic safeguards ensuring every homeschooled child’s open future.