Pro-Scientology Bill Vetoed in Florida

Via the Daytona Beach News-Journal:

Gov. Jeb. Bush vetoed a bill that some mental-health and school officials feared would keep parents from seeking help for their child when a school suspects a mental-health problem.

The bill, which was supported by the Church of Scientology and the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, would have required school officials who want to refer a child for a mental-health evaluation to tell parents the evaluation could become part of the student's record.

If you're curious, read the final version of the bill and its legislative history. It's worth noting that the bill passed unanimously in both the state House and Senate.

The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Gustavo Barreiro, has a friendly relationship with the Church of Scientology, having recently spoken at the 35th anniversary of the establishment of its headquarters in Florida.

Reading over the bill, I find that it's not actually as ominous as Scientology-sponsorship might imply. Although Scientology is likely promoting the bill because it implies that psychiatry is unreliable, one could make a reasonable argument for the bill's provisions. Its advocates were not well-served by allying with Scientology.

The Associated Press adds that Gov. Bush has signed a similar bill with slightly different language:

The main thrust of the bill that the governor signed is to tighten rules on when children in foster care can be put on such psychotropic drugs. But it also includes provisions dealing with public school enrollment.

Bush's veto letter provides additional information on his position:

In his veto letter Thursday, Bush said he shares the concerns of some who think children are too frequently put on drugs and supports safeguards. But, he said, the parental notice section of the bill goes too far in trying to discourage parents from consenting to the drugs for their children.

"Ultimately, this bill could lead to a chilling effect on the evaluation and treatment of children with legitimate mental health needs, resulting in serious long-term consequences such as suicide or Baker Act intervention," Bush wrote.

The governor said the foster care legislation (SB 1090) took a more reasoned approach, in that it does not include language adding more requirements on what parents must be told by schools where medication is recommended.