A bill that would have extended state anti-bullying policies — including mandatory training on the needs of people of diverse gender identities — beyond public schools and to private schools has been scaled back dramatically following heavy backlash.

The Senate Finance Committee voted 4-3 on Thursday to pass an amended version of SB225, which now makes it voluntary for private schools to adopt the state policy. Democratic Sen. David Parks said the move aimed to cut the cost of hiring more staff to implement policies at private schools.

But he said expected state anti-bullying programs such as “Safe to Tell” to be so successful that private schools would want to join in.

“I think we’re going to see a change in attitude,” Parks said. “When they see this in operation they’re going to want to be included in that. A kid in private schools is every bit needing protection and a kid in public schools.”

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford voted in favor of the bill, saying he didn’t want to interfere with Parks’ efforts at compromise, but used the hearing to take a jab at the Education Savings Account program. The subject of ongoing negotiations, the ESA program supported by Republicans would allow parents to use public school funds for their child’s private school tuition.

“I’m dismayed that we’re taking out the requirement that private schools comply with anti-bullying statutes,” Ford said. “I do think it’s inappropriate to ask for money on the one hand and then not comply with our anti-discrimination law.”

The bill sought to expand upon anti-bullying initiatives passed in the 2015 legislative session. All schools, including private ones, would be required to train employees on issues of gender identity, promptly report bullying incidents, and establish a school safety team focused on ensuring a safe and respectful learning environment.

While school districts and teachers unions supported the measure, it drew heavy criticism from families with children in private schools, who said the measure infringed too much on the schools’ autonomy and religious freedom.

Jason Lamberth, whose 13-year-old daughter Hailee died by suicide and was the namesake for the state’s anti-bullying law, called news of the amendment “terrible” on Twitter.

"#HaileesLaw should help ALL children and families,” he wrote.

Feature photo: Clark County School District school buses line up to pick up special needs students at Variety School, 2800 E. Stewart Ave. on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2017.  Photo by Jeff Scheid.