Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
New bill would require fire inspections at home schools
Residents of Perris, California watch as media gather in front of 160 Muir Woods Road, the house where authorities in January 2018 rescued 13 malnourished children held captive by their parents.
(
BILL WECHTER/AFP/Getty Images
)
The case of the Riverside County couple accused of torturing their 13 children has sparked legislation to increase oversight of home schools.
Assemblyman Jose Medina (D-Riverside) has proposed a bill that would require local fire departments to conduct annual inspections of all registered home schools.
Medina said in a statement that his measure would "provide the oversight needed to protect students and their rights."
The Home School Association of California opposes the bill.
Debbie Schwarzer, an attorney with the organization, says the bill constitutes an invasion of privacy. She also says it doesn't provide any guidance for what home inspections would cover.
"How would they know what to do if they entered my home? I don't have a classroom. Which home in my room are they supposed to look at? Are they allowed to go in my bedroom? What are they poking for? Are they supposed to look at children?"
Schwarzer says the bill could backfire by discouraging home schools from registering with the state.
Sponsored message
In California, families who educate their kids at home must register with the state Department of Education. Each year, they have to submit paperwork stating how many students are enrolled and where the school is located but the forms don't differentiate between private and home schools. No officials from the Department of Education or any school district are required to check on these home schools.
Under Medina's proposal, the state would give county and city fire agencies lists of registered private schools, including those with five or fewer students.
In January, a malnourished 17-year-old girl escaped her family's Perris home. She told authorities that she and her 12 siblings, ages 2 to 29, about the abuse they suffered. Her parents — David Turpin, 56, and Louise Turpin, 49 — were arrested. They have pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of torture and child endangerment.
David Turpin had registered the family's house in Perris as a home school.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
