Texas May Soon Require Cameras In Special Education Classrooms

A bill that would require video cameras in all special education classrooms was passed in the Texas Senate in April and is currently being considered by the state’s House Public Education Committee.

The bill is designed to protect special education students from abuse, although it would also protect teachers from false accusations. The bill comes in response to recent abuse cases involving special needs students, KHOU-TV reports.

Texas would be the first state in the country to have such a rule if the bill passes in the House, the outlet notes.

News Channel 10 reports that dozens of parents whose children are alleged victims of teacher abuse are advocating for the bill.

“There's just no way without objective proof from a camera to know what's going on,” said Leslie Phillips, whose son has autism, according to KHOU-TV.

While there are some concerns about the cost of the cameras -- for which school districts would be required to pay -- there is no organized opposition to the bill, WFAA notes.

"This could possibly be a double-edged sword, but I think for the safety of the educators and the safety of the students, we would not oppose it," said Rena Honea, president of the Dallas Chapter of Alliance/American Federation of Teachers, according to the outlet. (The Dallas Chapter of Alliance is the state’s largest teachers union.)

A petition supporting the bill on Change.org currently has 1,052 supporters.