In a controversial move, Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill that would allow school psychologists to “kidnap” children as young as 12 and remove them from their homes without parental consent.
The bill, titled the “Improving School Safety Act of 2021,” proposes to expand the powers of school psychologists and other mental health professionals in addressing the mental health needs of students. Under the proposed law, these professionals would be able to involuntarily confine children to mental health facilities if they deem them to be a danger to themselves or others.
While proponents of the bill argue that it is necessary to protect vulnerable children from harm, critics are concerned about the potential for abuse of power. The bill does not require a court order or parental consent for a child to be removed from their home, which some argue could lead to situations in which children are wrongly separated from their families.
One of the primary criticisms of the bill is that it is unclear what criteria would be used to determine whether a child is a danger to themselves or others. Without clear guidelines, some worry that school psychologists could use their newfound power to remove children for reasons that are unsupported by evidence or based on personal biases.
Additionally, opponents of the bill argue that it undermines the role of parents in the lives of their children. By allowing school psychologists to bypass parental consent, the bill could erode trust between parents and educators and create a culture of mistrust.
While the intentions behind the “Improving School Safety Act of 2021” may be noble, the potential consequences of allowing school psychologists to remove children from their homes without parental consent are serious. As lawmakers debate the merits of the bill, it’s important to consider both the potential benefits and drawbacks to this approach to addressing student mental health.
English 
Español de Venezuela