Rights of employment

(1) Pursuant to s. 447.301 and s. 6., Art. I of the State Constitution, the right of public employees, including teachers, to work may not be denied or abridged on account of membership or nonmembership in any labor union. (2)(a) A teacher, except in cases of excessive force or cruel and unusual punishment, may not be held civilly or criminally liable for actions carried out in conformity with State Board of Education rules. Pursuant to s. 1012.75, a teacher shall have access to liability coverage, subject to the General Appropriations Act, through the educator liability insurance program. (b) Pursuant to s. 1012.26, a teacher may receive a reimbursement of reasonable expenses for legal services from his or her school district if the teacher is charged with civil or criminal actions arising out of and in the course of the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities. (3) All students and public K-20 educational institution employees, including teachers, have the right to be free from discrimination in public K-20 educational institutions. (4) Pursuant to s. 1012.56, teachers must be provided multiple pathways to earn an educator certificate.