Ghio Confirmed as CT Child Advocate Amid Homeschool Debate

0:00The Connecticut House of Representatives confirmed Kristina Gio as the state's child advocate in a sharply partisan vote of 97-2. 42. Nearly all Democrats supported her with just two Republicans joining them. The division stemmed from her recent testimony backing a bill for more oversight on homeschooling. That bill would require families to get approval from the Department of Children and Families before pulling kids from public schools for home. Education. It also demands proof of equivalent instruction to public school standards. The push came after an 11-year-old girl died in New Britain last October, with her mother accused of faking homeschooling to hide the death from officials. Republicans blasted Gio for what they saw as attacking homeschool parents instead of fixing flaws at child services. House Minority Leader Benson Candelora noted she likely have unanimous backing without the homeschool issue. Supporters, mostly Democrats, praised her long record of pushing accountability on agencies protecting kids.

1:00Gio, who served as assistant child advocate, defended her stance in a statement. She stressed her office's reports aimed to improve systems for vulnerable children, without criticizing homeschooling overall. Connecticut is one of only 12 states with no homeschool rules, and she pointed to rare cases of abuse hidden by the lack of checks. Her confirmation now heads to the Senate, amid ongoing debates over balancing child safety with parental rights and education. Lawmakers on both sides, signal the homeschool bill itself, faces big changes ahead. Local news, powered by AI. This is Hartford News Today. I'm Corey with The Story.