Sen. Sue Rezin | Facebook
Sen. Sue Rezin | Facebook
Senate Education Committee Minority Spokesperson Sue Rezin (R-Morris) recently clarified appropriation for SB 673, an anti-bullying bill.
The legislation sponsored by Assistant Majority Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) originally included a provision stating that it would require the State Board of Education to provide funding for counselors to support mediation on bullying incidents.
A committee amendment removes that provision.
“Could you confirm, does this bill require ISBE to fund counselors and if so where does the appropriation come from?” Rezin asked.
Collins said no.
The bill includes alternatives to exclusionary discipline that increase student accountability if the incident of bullying is based on religion race, ethnicity, or any other category that is identified in the Illinois Human Rights Act.
Hearing witness Maaria Mozaffar, director of Advocacy and Policy for the Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition, said, "Detention, expulsion do not stop bullying. it’s not a one size fits all. This bill is an early intervention for adult hate crimes."
SB 673 was approved by the committee, 14-0.
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