‘Teacher Bill of Rights’ clears House committee

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Legislation that aims to expand the ability of teachers to control their classrooms and seek relief from unlawful school orders sailed through a House committee today.

The proposed legislation, HB 1035, is sponsored by Rep. Karen Gonzalez Pittman, R-Tampa, which she dubbed the “Teacher Bill of Rights.”

Pittman told the committee that “teachers need more rights within their classroom.”

“In the great state of Florida, we must protect the rights of our teachers and allow them the freedoms they feel necessary within the scope of Florida’s education, laws, and rules,” Pittman added.

The bill would provide teachers two avenues with which they address a school directive that violates the law. 

Instructors would have the ability to request the commissioner of education appoint a special magistrate to assess the facts of the allegations and lay out a recommended resolution.

The other route teachers may take, as outlined in this bill, involves pursuing a legal remedy in civil court in which they may be entitled to damages and “reasonable” attorney fees.

Additionally, the bill seeks to reduce what Pittman calls “unnecessary or duplicate training requirements for teachers.” T

he legislation would require the Department of Education to review and make recommendations for the elimination of said training requirements.

“We will adjust the duplicative training requirements so our teachers can maintain their focus in the classroom, increase the rights of teachers to seek relief,” Pittman said. “And ensure that teachers have the power and ability to maintain a safe environment within their classrooms.”

The bill also creates a “rebuttable presumption” for school staff who take actions to “maintain safety or educational atmosphere.”

Teachers would be given the opportunity to justify their actions if conducted in an attempt to preserve school safety and integrity.

Rep. Ashley Gantt, D-Miami, expressed her support for what she called “great aspects” of the bill and offered assistance in clarifying the special magistrate provision of the bill “so that teachers can really understand what their rights are.”

The legislation passed the first of its three committee assignments.