Hwang: Malloy’s Veto of Bill to Support Teacher and Student Classroom Safety is “Perplexing”

Sen. Hwang: Malloy’s Veto of Bill to Support Teacher and Student Classroom Safety is “Perplexing”, Sends Wrong Message

Sen. Tony Hwang is urging a legislative override of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s veto of Senate Bill 453: An Act Concerning Classroom Safety and Disruptive Behavior.

The bill includes measures to require boards of education to address daily classroom safety in their safe school climate plans and provide support for training and assistance for teachers.

“We want our schools to be as safe as they can be for our students and teachers,” Sen. Hwang said.  “We want to create classroom environments that are free of violence, threats and disruption. There must be zero tolerance.  That’s why it is perplexing to see Gov. Malloy veto this bill.  What message does such a veto send?  This bill passed unanimously in the Connecticut State Senate.  It is my hope that as Democrats and Republicans, we come together to override the governor and send the right message to our teachers and students.”

Sen. Hwang recently was successful in pushing for a Connecticut law to increase the penalties for when a threat involves a preschool, K-12 school or an institution of higher education. Sen. Hwang noted that such threats of violence can have a devastating impact on the psyches of parents, educators and children.

*Sen. Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport. On the web: www.SenatorHwang.com.  He can be reached at[email protected] and at 800-842-1421.