Main | Friday, May 02, 2008

Florida Approves Anti-Bullying Law

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has indicated that he will sign the anti-bullying law which passed in Florida's Senate yesterday after being approved by the House earlier in the year.
The legislation mandates that school districts throughout the state must put in place specific policies to deal with bullying that includes methods of investigating and punishments. It also bans cyber bullying. The districts would have to comply by December 1 or risk losing state funds.

The legislation does not, however, list specific categories of students that are protected.

During debate Sen. Nan Rich (D) asked, "Does the bill prohibit harassment based on a student’s actual or perceived disability, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, physical appearance, sexual orientation or other distinguishing personal characteristic in the exactly the same way that it prohibits sexual, racial or religious harassment, which are specified in the bill?" Sen. Carey Baker, the bills sponsor responded, "Yes it does."

''The intent of this legislation is to protect all children from all types of bullying,'' said Baker. The bill had the endorsement of most LGBT rights groups in the state who have been fighting for eight years to get the legislation passed. Equality Florida said that Baker's response on the record makes it clear that the legislative intent requires schools to ensure LGBT protections at the local level.

"The legislature has made clear that any school that fails to prevent and respond to anti-gay bullying and to protect every student will be in violation of this law and will face consequences," said Nadine Smith, Executive Director for Equality Florida. "We will hold them accountable."
It's interesting that while specific protections for LGBT students are not mentioned in the bill, Equality Florida appears comfortable that a senator's word on the record that they'll be protected will be enforceable.

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