Legislation which seeks to implement video cameras in special education classrooms sparked extensive debate and concern among Senate finance member’s, Friday.
Senate Bill 632, which received lengthy consideration from the education committee on Thursday, was brought before members of the finance committee for further consideration.
Following an explanation of the proposed legislation from Sarah Stewart of the state’s Department of Education, members cited concern over two areas in the bill relating to funding and an amendment proposed by Sen. Charlie Trump, R-Morgan.
During Thursday’s education committee, the Morgan County Senator requested to amend legislation to protect students involved in additional circumstances from disciplinary action when footage relating to circumstances in question are under review.
Sen. Bill Hamilton, R-Upshur, questioned the amendment, which would essentially protect students from disciplinary actions if they weren’t included in the original request to review footage. Hamilton addressed the committee to state that even though he was tore on an opinion relating to the bill, he believes the legislation is discriminatory to the state’s special education students.
Currently, the bill would only allow for footage to be reviewed by school administrators, teachers, parents or legal guardians and law enforcement officers, upon request.
After discussion of the bill, Sen. Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, motioned to remove the amendment offered by Trump.
Members of the committee also raised concern over the potential fiscal impact of the bill which would request $7 million from the state and allocate $2,600 for each of the state’s 2,715 special education classrooms.
Following further discussion of the bill, members motioned to amend the committee substitute for the committee substitute and report it to the full Senate with the recommendation of passage.
