HB 894 crosses an important line.
While protecting students from bullying matters, this bill extends state mandates into private schools, treating them like public institutions. Families choose private schools for their values, culture, and governance. HB 894 undermines that choice by imposing one-size-fits-all rules on schools that vary widely in size, mission, and capacity.
The bill’s 24-hour written notification requirement sounds reasonable, but in practice it can force schools to act before facts are known, escalating conflict and increasing legal risk. Instead of thoughtful resolution, administrators are pushed toward compliance-driven responses.
Most private schools already prohibit bullying, notify parents, and handle issues responsibly. This bill assumes failure where trust and discretion already exist, and replaces them with liability and regulation.
The bigger concern is precedent. Once the state dictates conduct policies in private schools, it becomes easier to mandate discipline practices, speech rules, or curriculum next.
HB 894 doesn’t improve student safety—it expands government control, limits flexibility, and weakens parental choice.
HB 894 crosses an important line. While protecting students from bullying matters, this bill extends state mandates into private schools, treating them like public institutions. Families choose private schools for their values, culture, and governance. HB 894 undermines that choice by imposing one-size-fits-all rules on schools that vary widely in size, mission, and capacity. The bill’s 24-hour written notification requirement sounds reasonable, but in practice it can force schools to act before facts are known, escalating conflict and increasing legal risk. Instead of thoughtful resolution, administrators are pushed toward compliance-driven responses. Most private schools already prohibit bullying, notify parents, and handle issues responsibly. This bill assumes failure where trust and discretion already exist, and replaces them with liability and regulation. The bigger concern is precedent. Once the state dictates conduct policies in private schools, it becomes easier to mandate discipline practices, speech rules, or curriculum next. HB 894 doesn’t improve student safety—it expands government control, limits flexibility, and weakens parental choice.