A measure requiring video and audio surveillance in certain public school classrooms serving students with disabilities passed its first committee stop with unanimous support.
The bill, HB 257, would mandate that all Florida school districts and charter schools install video cameras in self-contained classrooms where at least one nonverbal student with a disability receives special education services for more than half of the school day.
If enacted into law, cameras would be required to record both video and audio and must cover all areas of the classroom, including any attached rooms used for instruction. Recordings must be retained for at least three months or longer if they are part of an investigation or legal proceeding. Schools would be prohibited from using the recordings for teacher evaluations or routine monitoring and must redact the identities of uninvolved students and staff before allowing footage to be viewed. However, the faces of school employees involved in an alleged incident may not be blurred.
Sponsored by Rep. Kevin Chambliss and co-sponsored by Rep. Chase Tramont, the legislation aims to provide a clear record of incidents involving alleged abuse or neglect of vulnerable students who may be unable to report them, according to the bill’s legislative analysis.
“Far too often have exceptional students returned home from school, only for their parents to find seemingly unexplainable marks, bruises and other injuries to their person,” said Rep. Chambliss. “When an incident resulting in injury occurs to these students, specifically to those who are non-verbal, parents may never truly feel certain about the cause of the injury. HB 257 removes that uncertainty. With this bill, parents and educators can feel secure in knowing that these cameras will provide indisputable video and audio evidence of any and all incidents that occur while in the classroom.”
Under the bill, schools must make relevant footage available for viewing within seven days of a request. Access would be limited to parents of involved students, school staff, law enforcement, and investigators with the Department of Children and Families.
The proposal also bars school officials from increasing the number of students in a self-contained exceptional student education classroom by more than 50 percent during the school year. Any interruption in camera operation must be documented in writing and retained for one year.
“HB 257 is a crucial step toward providing peace of mind for families by ensuring greater transparency and accountability in our schools. By allowing video cameras in certain classrooms, we can help protect our most vulnerable children while also supporting our dedicated educators. I am honored to be working with Representative Chambliss to move these important reforms forward,” said Rep. Tramont.
The Department of Education would be tasked with collecting data on camera installation and use, and the State Board of Education would have authority to adopt rules to implement the law.
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