Florida school boards would be required to adopt dress code policies that prohibit clothes “which expose underwear or body parts in an indecent or vulgar manner” under a bill headed to Gov. Rick Scott. Spearheaded by Senator Gary Siplin (D-Orlando), the bill could likely lead to more harassment of minorities, but once approved by Scott, it brings to an end a 5 year fight to pass legislation by the lawmaker.
The bill requires school boards to develop school dress codes and prohibits saggy pants. It also penalizes students caught offending the dress code with a call to their parents, with the harshest punishment being removal from extracurricular activities and in-school suspension.
With no debate, the bill (SB 228) passed the House on Wednesday in a 101-15 vote.
“It’s been a long road,” Siplin said Wednesday, when it seemed likely the Legislature would finally pass the measure. Siplin said he’s passionate about the issue because he feels too many young people are being bypassed for jobs because they dress inappropriately, reports the News Service of Florida.
“I firmly believe part of the education process is teaching them how to dress,” Siplin said. “If you look at successful people and how they dress, they are not showing their body parts.”
Wayne Blanton, the executive director of the Florida School Boards Association, said school boards are neutral about the dress code mandates.
“Most already have a policy like that or something similar,” Blanton said. “It is redundant for the most part.”
Many of the members of the House’s black caucus voted “no” on the measure, concerned it could lead to increased harassment of minorities.
In 2008, a Louisiana state Senate panel rejected a bill that would make it a crime to wear one’s pants too low, although there were exceptions including thong swim suits and clothing worn in fashion show.
