Bill Would Require DYFS Approval Before a Child May be Home-Schooled
Legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt requiring that a child under the care, custody or supervision of the state Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) may not be home-schooled without DYFS approval was released by an Assembly panel on Monday.
“This is a precautionary measure to ensure that some of our most vulnerable children are receiving the education and oversight they deserve,” said Lampitt (D-Camden/Burlington), Chair of the Assembly Women and Children Committee, which approved the bill today. “This is about helping DYFS institute more accountability to protect the safety and well-being of the children they serve.”
Specifically, the bill (A-2881) would pertain to any child under DYFS supervision, including those placed in a resource family or kinship care home, which is a private residence in which board, lodging, care and temporary out-of-home placement services are provided to a child by a person who is not the parent, but is related to the child through blood, marriage, civil union or other similar bonds.
The measure was approved 4-2 by the Assembly Women and Children Committee and now awaits consideration by the full Assembly.