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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 student to their family.
Dr. Wendy Becker, identified in the hearing as a faculty member at Rhode Island College School of Social Work and a former school social worker, said the bill’s language that would allow “full freedom in expressing personal opinions on all matters relevant to course content” could permit speech such as “I personally believe gay people are an abomination,” and that such statements from educators or health providers could be perceived as authoritative and harmful in school settings. Becker also said a provision allowing staff to share information about a student with parents could “out” LGBTQ students and put them at risk of rejection, abuse or housing insecurity.
Crystal Brunell, a Rhode Island College social work student who identified herself as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, testified that teachers disclosing a student’s gender identity or sexual orientation to parents could place that student in immediate danger. Committee members noted written testimony from the American Civil Liberties Union raising concerns that the bill’s broad language could permit teaching creationism as fact and could be used to share biased or discriminatory views in classrooms.
Committee members asked questions and acknowledged the multiple ways the bill’s broad protections might conflict with district policies and state nondiscrimination obligations. No committee vote on the policy merits was taken; the committee recorded a procedural motion to hold House Bills 5603, 5604 and 5839 for further study, which passed by recorded voice responses.
Testifiers urged the committee to narrow the bill’s language so that educators retain professional responsibilities and that protections for students—especially those whose safety depends on confidentiality—are preserved. The committee directed staff to compile testimony and consider revisions before future action.
