United States military service members who homeschool their dependent children would not have to deal with conflicting state homeschooling laws each time they and their spouses are relocated by the U.S. Department of Defense under a new bill introduced on June 16 by U.S. Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC).
“Strong military families are essential to military readiness, and parents serving this country should not be penalized simply because the military asked them to move,” said Rep. Harrigan.
The Continuity of Military Parents’ Academic Schooling and State Standards (COMPASS) Act of 2026, would extend the existing protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to help ensure military families are not penalized because military service requires them to move, according to a bill summary provided by the congressman.
“Military families live with enough uncertainty. Every permanent change of station brings a new set of challenges, and a child’s education should not be one of them,” Rep. Harrigan said. “My COMPASS Act ensures military homeschooling families can maintain educational continuity when duty takes them across state lines while reducing the administrative burdens that come with frequent relocations.”
The legislation has been endorsed by the Home School Legal Defense Association, the Military Child Education Coalition, and the Military Homeschoolers Association.