Signed by Governor Dan McKee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate substitute and pass a bill that establishes the implementation of trauma-informed practices in schools.

Highlights:

• Establishes and implements a shared understanding among academic staff members that (Sec. 1):

• Traumatic experiences are common among students;

• Trauma can impact students learning, behaviors, and relationships ;

• Traumatic experiences do not inherently undermine the capabilities of students to reach high expectations in academics and life;

• School environments, where students feel safe, can enable students to succeed despite traumatic experiences; and

• All school services and programs should be trauma-informed.

• Establishes the following disciplinary procedures that (Sec. 1):

• Uses disciplinary actions with positive behavioral interventions to address underlying causes of student behavior;

• Avoid harsh, punitive, or exclusionary practices;

• Utilize evidence-based practices;

• Implement procedures to call skilled mental health personnel when there s a mental health breakdown, and resort to law enforcement only in extreme cases; and

• Do not discriminate against anyone. 

• Authorizes activities that engage academic staff members to prompt a place of safety and acceptance (Sec. 1). 

• Establishes a trauma-informed schools commission that (Sec. 1 ):

• Will meet quarterly;

• Serve without compensation;

• Comprise of 12 members; and

• Will assist the department of elementary and secondary education department with implementing the trauma-informed school act.

• Establishes all departments, boards, and agencies of the state shall cooperate with the commission and forthwith furnish any advice and information, documentary and otherwise, as may be necessary or desirable to facilitate the purposes of this chapter (Sec. 1).

• Establishes this act to take effect immediately upon passage (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a substitute bill that establishes the implementation of trauma-informed practices in schools.

Highlights:

• Establishes and implements a shared understanding among academic staff members that (Sec. 1):

• Traumatic experiences are common among students;

• Trauma can impact students learning, behaviors, and relationships ;

• Traumatic experiences do not inherently undermine the capabilities of students to reach high expectations in academics and life;

• School environments, where students feel safe, can enable students to succeed despite traumatic experiences; and

• All school services and programs should be trauma-informed.

• Establishes the following disciplinary procedures that (Sec. 1):

• Uses disciplinary actions with positive behavioral interventions to address underlying causes of student behavior;

• Avoid harsh, punitive, or exclusionary practices;

• Utilize evidence-based practices;

• Implement procedures to call skilled mental health personnel when there s a mental health breakdown, and resort to law enforcement only in extreme cases; and

• Do not discriminate against anyone. 

• Authorizes activities that engage academic staff members to prompt a place of safety and acceptance (Sec. 1). 

• Establishes a trauma-informed schools commission that (Sec. 1 ):

• Will meet quarterly;

• Serve without compensation;

• Comprise of 12 members; and

• Will assist the department of elementary and secondary education department with implementing the trauma-informed school act.

• Establishes all departments, boards, and agencies of the state shall cooperate with the commission and forthwith furnish any advice and information, documentary and otherwise, as may be necessary or desirable to facilitate the purposes of this chapter (Sec. 1).

• Establishes this act to take effect immediately upon passage (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text