Subcommittee advances bill to allow classroom cameras in self‑contained special education settings on request

Representatives presenting CS/HB 859 described the bill as ending a pilot statute and requiring school boards to establish policies providing video cameras in self‑contained exceptional student classrooms upon request by a parent or student. Presenters said footage would be limited to the student of interest and other students’ images would be redacted when not relevant to the incident being reviewed.

Two public witnesses gave extended, emotional testimony. Dina Justice, who identified herself as chief operating officer of The Arc of Florida but testified as a parent, described her nonverbal adult daughter’s alleged physical and verbal mistreatment in a self‑contained classroom, including being pinned, pinched and left bruised. Justice said the family reported the incidents to school administration, the Department of Children and Families and law enforcement but that outcomes had not resolved harms described.

Annette Lizardo, president of the Autism Society of Florida, said nonverbal students are among the highest‑risk groups for in‑school abuse and urged statewide policy requiring cameras in ESE self‑contained classrooms. Lizardo cited other states’ laws and policies — including Georgia’s Landon Dunson Act and provisions in Texas, Louisiana, Nevada and Illinois — and argued that workplace privacy doctrine does not override student safety concerns.

Ranking member Gant and other members supported the measure and urged that any required cameras be accompanied by budgetary resources; members noted some districts (including Broward) already use cameras in special education classrooms. Presenters closed on safety grounds. The subcommittee reported CS/HB 859 favorably by roll call.