In 2011, Paul Hastings, THSC’s director of public policy at the time, was the only legislative liaison for THSC. He actively worked with THSC President Tim Lambert to monitor and testify on various pieces of legislation.

THSC learned in 2012 that one of its leading opponents, the Family Law Foundation, was introducing legislation to expand certain Texas statutes that allow in-laws to sue for access to or possession of children. THSC decided to strengthen its legislative capabilities by recruiting five homeschool graduates to help Paul and Tim defend homeschooling and family rights.

2013 THSC Watchmen Team

Immediately after the 2012 elections, Paul recruited David Huber, Nathan Exley, Trent Williams, Jeremy Newman, and Ben Snodgrass. They would become known by the Texas homeschool community as the THSC Watchmen.

Each of the THSC Watchmen was assigned duties that best used his unique talents. For example, Ben was appointed to the position of lead policy analyst and Nathan became the publicity manager.

The THSC Watchmen also divided the state legislators into groups among themselves. They focused on building relationships and effectively communicating with the legislative offices in each of their respective groups.

They also reviewed every single bill filed in the Texas legislature, looking for anything that directly affected or could potentially involve the homeschool community or family rights.

The THSC Watchmen testified on and registered THSC’s support for, or opposition to, numerous bills. For many important pieces of legislation, they were highly instrumental in contacting and procuring witnesses for key hearings.

Finally, the team maintained open dialogue with many other conservative organizations and activists by attending meetings and networking. In total, the THSC Watchmen team worked over 5,000 hours during the 2013 session. They were described by some conservative leaders as the most effective lobbying team of the 83rd Texas Legislature.

2015 THSC Watchmen Team

In January 2015, the next group of THSC Watchmen arrived in Austin, including homeschool graduates Jeremy Newman (now THSC’s Director of Public Policy), Isaac Sommers, Stephen Howsley, Ryan Parke, Joshua Newman, and Gregory Guggenmos.

Using the knowledge and experience of the 2013 team, the 2015 THSC Watchmen continued to defend and advance the rights of Texas families to direct the care, control and upbringing of their children.

They fought to veto SB 359, a bill which would have allowed hospitals to overrule family rights by detaining patients (including minors) without a warrant. The THSC Watchmen also passed SB 1543 to end discrimination against homeschool students at state colleges.

2017 THSC Watchmen Team

In 2017, Chief Legislative Analyst Joshua Newman led the largest and most diverse THSC Watchmen team ever. The 2017 team members were Meagan Corser, Anna Little, Paul Exley, Emma Little, Vida Mata, and Josiah Newman.

Building on the successes of previous years, the 2017 THSC Watchmen made several breakthroughs and 2017 was THSC’s most successful legislative session yet.

The 2017 team stopped 21 bills and amended 14 bills that specifically threatened family rights. They were also able to pass their top priority: nine CPS reforms that will protect families from government overreach.

2019 THSC Watchmen Team

In 2019, the new THSC Watchmen, Matthew Lawson and Mason Prewitt, joined the three other THSC public policy team members on staff. That session, the THSC Watchmen were able to stop HB 575 before it passed. HB 575 would have allowed estranged in-laws to sue families for access to their children over the family’s objection. The Watchmen brought 131 people to the hearing to register against the bill and it ultimately died in committee.

2021 THSC Watchmen Team

In 2021, the THSC Watchmen, Quincy Tredway, Ansley Brent, and Jayla Ward, experienced the most successful session for family rights to date. The team passed HB 567, one of the most comprehensive CPS reform bills for family rights ever passed in Texas. The team also passed HB 547, the UIL Equal Access Bill, which allows homeschooled students the opportunity for participation in extracurricular activities through the University Interscholastic League (UIL).

Additionally, the team negotiated amendments to 8 bills to remedy threats to family rights, or threats to homeschooling. The team also worked to strengthen legislation to better protect family rights.

With these successes under our belt, THSC and the THSC Watchmen will continue to fight during every legislative session to protect the rights of Texas homeschool families.

Consider donating today to help the THSC Watchmen as they continue Keeping Texas Families Free in Austin in 2023!

2023 THSC Watchmen Team

In 2023, Anita Scott, THSC Policy Director, joined Meagan Corser, Chief Policy Analyst, along with three THSC Watchmen—Wyatt Henry, Meg Aerni, and Kara Simmons—to lead the most successful legislative session the organization had experienced to date.

Working in coordination with THSC’s sister organization, Family Freedom Project, the team helped pass seven pieces of legislation, including several top priorities for Texas families. Among these victories were the abolition of the juvenile curfew, improvements to the Top Ten Percent rule, which guarantees Texas students who graduate in the top 10% of their high school class automatic admission to state-funded universities, and three major reforms to Child Protective Services in an ongoing effort to protect families from undue government overreach.

By defending family rights and mobilizing supporters, the 2023 THSC Watchmen ensured that Texas parents retained control over their children’s education and family life.

2025 THSC Watchmen Team

In 2025, Anita Scott linked arms with three new THSC Watchmen—Cooper Chapel, Isabella Ruffo, and Benjamin McKay—to achieve a record-breaking legislative session, passing eight pieces of legislation.

Among the team’s most significant accomplishments was successfully advancing the nation’s first Parental Rights Constitutional Amendment to the Texas ballot in November 2024. They also passed the Parental Presumption Bill, reforms to CPS termination of parental rights, and legislation ensuring parents have a voice in their child’s legal representation. In addition, the team blocked attempts to reinstate a daytime juvenile curfew and successfully amended six bills to protect families before they were passed into law.

In addition, the Watchmen worked in tandem with other stakeholders to help pass the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFAs), which give parents direct control of education funds to use for private school tuition, tutoring, curriculum, and other learning resources. Unlike funding school systems, TEFAs fund students directly, allowing families to choose the educational environment that best fits their child.

The 2025 THSC Watchmen worked tirelessly to keep Texas parents in charge of their children’s education and to safeguard families from unnecessary government interference.