Hundreds Protest CT Homeschool Bill; DCF Commissioner Hamilton Faces Lawmakers

Connecticut Lawmakers Advance Homeschooling Oversight Bill Following Child's Death

Connecticut legislators are advancing a bill that would require school officials to notify the Department of Children and Families when a family withdraws a child from public school for homeschooling — a measure prompted in part by the death of 11-year-old Jacqueline "Mimi" Torres-García of New Britain, whose mother allegedly removed her from school months before killing her.

The bill is included in Senate Bill 6, a broader legislative package addressing child welfare and oversight. Under the proposal, when a family withdraws a child from public school, education officials would notify DCF, which would then check whether the parent or guardian has an open or recent history with the agency. If the family is subject to a protective supervision order or receiving protective services, the withdrawal request could be denied.

The Office of the Child Advocate has supported the measure, noting in a prior report that Connecticut has some of the least restrictive homeschooling regulations in the country.

Hundreds of Homeschooling Families Descend on Capitol

The bill drew an outpouring of opposition from the homeschooling community. On March 11, 2026, hundreds of homeschooling families — including parents from North Haven, Bridgeport, and Wallingford — gathered at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford for an Education Committee public hearing. Families came in coordinated response to what many described as government overreach into private educational choices.

Homeschooling advocates argued the bill would subject law-abiding families to surveillance based solely on an educational choice, not any evidence of harm. They expressed concern that requiring universal DCF notification would stigmatize homeschooling families, the majority of whom have no child welfare history.

Victor Torres, the father of Jacqueline Torres-García, testified in support of the bill. His daughter's death, in which her body was found in a plastic container in New Britain, became a focal point of the child safety debate. Torres and supporters of the bill argued that greater oversight could prevent similar tragedies from falling through systemic gaps.

The Connecticut Education Department stated in early March that it believes it cannot comply with the notification provision as written, according to CT Mirror and the Hartford Courant.

North Haven Rep. Yaccarino Questions DCF Commissioner Nominee

The following day, on March 12, 2026, Interim DCF Commissioner Susan Hamilton appeared before the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee for a public confirmation hearing at the Legislative Office Building.

Hamilton, who was sworn in ahead of the hearing, fielded questions on caseworker turnover within the agency, children's mental health support, and the homeschooling debate. Among those questioning her was Rep. Dave Yaccarino, a Republican representing North Haven, who raised concerns about the agency's caseworker turnover rate and overall performance.

High caseworker turnover has been a documented challenge for DCF, affecting case continuity and the agency's ability to maintain consistent monitoring of children in active investigations. Yaccarino pressed Hamilton on what steps the agency would take to address staffing challenges.

The nominations committee did not vote on Hamilton's appointment at the March 12 hearing. The committee delayed its vote because some members were not present, according to CT Mirror.

DCF and the Homeschooling Debate

The Torres-García case has crystallized a long-standing debate in Connecticut about the intersection of parental rights, public school oversight, and child welfare surveillance. Supporters of the notification bill argue DCF involvement could serve as a safety net when children disappear from public school records during open abuse or neglect investigations.

Opponents — including civil liberties advocates and homeschooling organizations — contend the proposal would treat homeschooling parents as presumptively suspect and represents an unconstitutional intrusion into family decision-making. At least one legal advocate described the bill as unconstitutional, according to the Courant.

The bill remains under legislative review. No final vote has been scheduled as of publication.

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