California bill to criminalize teacher harassment and school board meeting disruptions moves forward.
A California bill that would make it a misdemeanor to harass school employees or disrupt school board meetings advanced to the state Senate floor after being placed on suspense last month.
The Senate in May advanced the bill in a 30–8 vote to the state Assembly, where it was placed Aug. 21 on the “suspense file”—a holding place for bills that require a significant fiscal expense.
However, the bill was resurrected in a 12–3 vote by the state Assembly’s fiscal committee on Sept. 1. It was read and amended Sept. 5, and again Sept. 7, and ordered to a third reading, which will take place in the coming weeks.
When he introduced the bill, Mr. Portantino said he did so in response to the growing group of parents and community members who are questioning teachers and school administrators over controversial content in their children’s classrooms—including those who express concern about classrooms celebrating LGBT Pride month and other lessons containing gender ideology in classrooms.
“Actions that incite fear amongst educators who are teaching in accordance with state standards are counterproductive, unacceptable and potentially dangerous,” said Mr. Portantino in a February statement. “Too many teachers are being intimidated and harassed for just doing their job. [Senate Bill] 596 will ensure that they can continue to be dedicated educators, helping their students thrive unencumbered by fear and intimidation.”
The bill’s consideration comes after months of rising tension in Mr. Portantino’s Glendale district over its policies on LGBT topics in classrooms.
In June, three people were arrested after a brawl broke out between demonstrators and counter-protestors in opposition to the Glendale Unified School District’s recognition of Pride Month and LGBT content in classrooms.
Those in opposition say they want the district to focus on teaching academics and allow parents to introduce such topics to children on their own terms.
A Unconstitutional Bill to Silence Parents: Critics
Aneta Krpekyan, a Glendale Unified parent, told The Epoch Times in an email that the bill is an attempt by lawmakers to find a legal way to silence parents.
“[Mr. Portantino] pushes this bill under the guise of protecting educators from ‘harassment,’ when it’s actually a bill that protects teachers from any criticism when they go rogue on their curriculum,” said Ms. Krpekyan, who also plans to run for the Glendale Unified School Board. “This is a parents’ silencing bill and nothing more.”
Additionally, Ms. Krpekyan said the bill seeks to place teachers and district employees in a protected class of their own, while stomping on basic parental rights.
“This bill protects school employees from public criticism, not harassment,” she said.
Ms. Krpekyan further claimed the bill could infringe on the First Amendment rights of parents.
“Not only does t
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