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Committee hears concerns that proposed teacher 'bill of rights' could enable outing of LGBTQ students
Summary
Opponents told the Rhode Island House Committee on Education on April 1 that House Bill 5604’s broad protections for teachers and school professionals could permit staff to express personal opinions in class and disclose student information to parents, potentially endangering LGBTQ students.
The House Committee on Education heard testimony April 1 on House Bill 5604, a measure that would broaden the statutory definition of teacher and create an enumerated set of rights for classroom personnel.
Opponents, including faculty and students from Rhode Island College’s School of Social Work and youth advocacy groups, warned that broad language in the bill could authorize school staff to express personal opinions without discipline and to disclose information about a student’s educational experience, health or safety to parents. They said those provisions could expose LGBTQ students to harm if staff members “out” a…
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