Florida may hand out school vouchers to bullied students

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida students who get bullied may get taxpayer help to attend a private school.

A Senate panel on Monday voted for a bill that would allow students who are victims of bullying, physical attack, robbery and other types of violence to move to a different public school or receive a private school voucher.

The legislation (SB 1172) is a top priority of House Speaker Richard Corcoran and a similar bill (HB 1) is already moving through the Republican-controlled House.

Democrats on the Senate Education Committee voted against the bill. Several said they were concerned about expanding the use of private school vouchers in the state.

Bradenton Republican Sen. Bill Galvano is a bill sponsor. He says the legislation is meant to help students who now feel they are trapped.