A politician does something right? The story behind special-needs legislation
Once in a blue moon, the little guy sings the politician’s praises. In this case, a Central Florida mom is complimenting a state representative’s efforts to pass a very personal piece of legislation.
HB 81, Rep. Dorothy Hukill’s bill regarding the “use, prevention, and reduction of seclusion and restraint on students with disabilities in public schools,” moved ot the PreK-12 Policy Committee Wednesday afternoon, three weeks after the bill’s first reading March 2.
Although Hukill could not be reached for comment, Phyllis Musumeci, founder of Florida Families Against Restraint and Seclusion and co-author of the bill, applauded the representative’s efforts.
“She’s done a wonderful job,” Musumeci said of Hukill, who first sponsored the bill in 2009.
Musumeci’s fight began in 2005 when she pulled her son, Christian, dual-diagnosed with autism and Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, out of the Palm Beach County public middle school where he was a student.
She had noticed a change in his behavior so severe that he was “scared of going to school, being touched, being hugged.” After witnessing his erratic behavior on a daily basis, she knew something was wrong.
“He was always a very happy child,” she said. “But then he was completely out of control. He was just a mess.”
Christian’s behavior motivated Musumeci to request records from the Palm Beach County public middle school he attended.
“I was shocked at what they had done to him,” she said of the practices—including seclusion and restraints—used against her son.
After filing a complaint with the Florida Department of Education—“who did absolutely nothing because they have no jurisdiction over school districts,” she said—Musumeci and her organization, Florida Families Against Restraint and Seclusion, co-wrote the bill and submitted it in 2007.
After the bill fell by the wayside that first time, one of Musumeci’s colleagues suggested she approach Hukill about sponsorship. Since then, Musumeci and Hukill have spoken on the phone “several times” and met in Tallahassee to discuss the bill.
Musumeci blames politicians “wanting to be on the winning side” for the lack of support in the legislature.
“Dorothy Hukill stood up when nobody else would,” she said. “This is not a matter of being on the popular side, this is a matter of right and wrong.”
– Holly Kane
Rep Hukill should be honored and praised for not being swayed by political forces and for standing up for the protection of the most vulnerable and deserving. This article should one of many in her honor.
Disabled children need to stop being abused in schools because those entrusted to teach them do not know how.
This is so past due I’m sure many more parents could tell you about the actual workings of the school systems in the respective counties. Kudos for taking the time to write and publish the article
I wish Rep. Legg would do the right thing and listen to his Florida families that are begging him for help to protect their children from being abused. He has turned his back on us and made himself unreachable to our many emails, letters and phone calls. Rep. Legg works for the people of Florida so why is he IGNORING the people and allowing child abuse to continue.
Thank God Rep. Dorothy Hukill decided our children have rights even though they dont vote. The other politicians should keep in mind that their parents vote & someday the children will also. I would like to know why Rep John Legg, from Port Richey has paused on this Bill? He either doesnt believe us or he doesnt care! I dont have time to figure out which one it is because I have to try & keep my child safe! This Bill must be passed before another child dies from these abusive practices! Our children should have more rights then animals! When people abuse animals, even if they are teachers/school staff, they are charged for their crime.
This is what Restraint & Seclusion looks like, now imagine this was being done to your child!
Restraint & Seclusion Awareness Video
Restraint & Seclusion – Deadly Restraints
DISABLED CHILDREN SECLUSION ABUSE
Child Handcuffed , Restrained & Secluded
Rep Legg should be ashamed of himself. I will make it my business to make certain that everyone learn what he has done. SIMPLY SHAMEFUL!
Rep Hukill did do the right thing standing up for the powerless children who are being abused in our schools. HOWEVER – the Bill that she presented was not voted on by the House Committee – Rep. Legg (Chair of the Committee) struck all of the language in the Bill and had it rewritten – It now provides little to no protection for our children.
Congratulations to Rep Hukill – Shame on Rep Legg – He makes all of the Florida politicians look bad. If this is politics as usual then we need to change that. Rep Legg you have betrayed the families and children of Florida.
Thank you for posting this – it’s so good to hear about a politician doing something just because it’s the right and honorable thing to do.
We should be extremely proud of leaders like Rep. Dorothy Hukill who are willing to listen to their constituents and willing to protect the vulnerable. It appears that Rep. John Legg has been unresponsive to this process of democracy. This just hurts the image of all those who are truly sent to Tallahassee to represent us.