ORLANDO, Fla. – A local bill meant to reduce violence and get results for kids in and out of the classroom is making its way through committees in Tallahassee.
The bill is geared to help kids with conflict and peer mediation. It comes 6 years after the fatal shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
House Bill 857 was drafted and filed by State Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis, D-Ocoee. It passed its first subcommittee two weeks ago. A Senate version of the bill passed its first subcommittee last week.
If passed, it’ll create a youth conflict resolution and peer mediation pilot program aimed at reducing violence and teaching kids a better way to deal with their frustrations.
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“I know it’ll save lives, and if I can be personal, it’ll save lives also in my district,” said Davis.
She said schools that have a high rate of violence would be chosen for the program.
“I want the children to know how to deescalate, that that they don’t have to think about issues, fighting and controversy,” said Davis. “A team of skilled persons will be able to teach de-escalation techniques, also peer mediation.”
Seven Charlestin lives in the Pine Hills community and as a former teacher for 5 years, he said he knows firsthand some of the needs and struggles young people face.
“There are so many conflicts in the classroom that aren’t being resolved,” said Charlestin. “Especially in lower economic areas where there are more stressors, it’s more day-to-day conflicts that the youth has to deal with.”
He’s the lead organizer for March for our Lives Pine Hills aimed at ending gun violence, and he’s been pushing for the passing of House Bill 857.
Evans High School in Pine Hills is one of seven Orange County public schools chosen for a pilot program this year where students will have to walk through a weapons detection system.
The school district said the schools were chosen at random from a computer-generated system, and it’s simply a new way to keep kids safe.
According to Orange County deputies, nine guns were removed from Orange County schools last year.
OCPS says all schools chosen for their weapons detection system pilot program, including Evans, should be online by the end of March.
As for House Bill 857, News 6 will keep you posted as it moves forward in Tallahassee.
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