Florida just slammed the gavel on a new law that’s shaking up classrooms — SB 1374. This isn’t your average piece of legislation buried in red tape. It’s a clear, bold move designed to put student safety front and center, and schools across the state are on high alert.
As Jonathan Perazzo, Atlanta Injury attorney of The Perazzo Law Firm, explains:
“There’s a new Florida law about how schools handle teachers accused of a crime. SB 1374 requires that school staff remove any educator from the classroom within 24 hours of learning about the accusation. This applies to any alleged misconduct involving students. It’s designed to put student safety first and make schools act faster.”
Simply put — when trouble knocks, schools can’t just peek through the blinds anymore.
What Is SB 1374?
At its core, SB 1374 says this:
If a teacher is accused of misconduct involving a student, they must be pulled from the classroom within 24 hours — no excuses, no delays. This law doesn’t wait for the dust to settle. It kicks into gear the moment an accusation surfaces — acting as a legal fire alarm when things heat up. Whether the claim is eventually proven true or not, the priority is clear: students come first.
Why Parents Should Pay Attention
Here’s the hard truth: when schools drag their feet, students can pay the price. As a seasoned Miami Personal Injury Lawyer, The Perazzo Law Firm has seen the damage that happens when red flags are ignored and schools sweep problems under the rug. SB 1374 is a game-changer — forcing schools to respond before a bad situation becomes a tragedy. Think of it like a seatbelt law for the classroom — you hope you never need it, but when something goes wrong, it could make all the difference.
What Happens If a School Drops the Ball?
If a school turns a blind eye to this law and keeps a potentially dangerous teacher in the classroom — and a child is harmed — that’s more than just poor judgment. That’s negligence. And negligence has consequences. That’s when families should turn to a legal team that doesn’t flinch — like The Perazzo Law Firm. With years of experience handling school-related injury cases, they know how to hold the right people accountable and demand justice for your child.
A few examples of Teacher Misconduct
- Inappropriate Physical Contact with a Student
This includes any form of unwanted touching, hugging, or behavior that crosses professional boundaries. Even if it’s framed as “friendly,” any physical misconduct can trigger an investigation and removal under SB 1374.
Example: A teacher repeatedly touches a student’s shoulder or back despite being asked to stop. - Sending Inappropriate Texts or Messages
Digital communication is heavily scrutinized. A teacher who sends personal, flirtatious, or sexually suggestive messages to a student — even if not explicit — can face immediate dismissal.
Example: A teacher messages a student late at night with compliments about their appearance or asks to meet outside school. - Verbal Threats or Abusive Language
Using threatening, degrading, or abusive language toward students is not just unprofessional — it’s grounds for disciplinary action and removal.
Example: A teacher screams at a student, calls them derogatory names, or threatens physical harm in front of others.
Final Word: Stay Vigilant, Stay Empowered
SB 1374 sends a clear message: protecting children is not optional — it’s the law. Under this new mandate, teachers accused of misconduct must be removed from the classroom within 24 hours. That includes serious allegations such as inappropriate physical contact with a student, sending personal or suggestive messages through texts or social media, or using threatening or abusive language toward a child. These aren’t just policy violations — they’re red flags that demand swift action.
But laws like SB 1374 don’t enforce themselves. If your child has been affected by a school’s failure to act on a serious accusation, don’t stay silent. Let The Perazzo Law Firm, a trusted Florida Personal Injury Lawyer, step in and help you take action. We’re committed to standing up for your family when institutions fall short. Because when it comes to your child’s safety, there’s no room for second chances.
? Call 888-PERAZZO for a FREE Initial Consultation — Available 24/7.
Florida Personal Injury Lawyer | The Perazzo Law Firm — Where Justice Is More Than Just a Word.