HB 770 — "Trauma-Informed Discipline Practices Act; enact to establish procedures to assess and mediate effects of traumatic events in schools.

HB 770 (COMMITTEE(As SUBSTITUTE)Passed the House) - 2020 Regular Session MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE Regular Session To:

Representatives Calvert, Smith, Lancaster, McLean, Creekmore IV, Roberson, Clark, Paden, Mickens, Cockerham, Brown (70th) House Bill 770 (COMMITTEE(As SUBSTITUTE)Passed the House) AN ACT TO CREATE THE "TRAUMA-INFORMED DISCIPLINESCHOOLS PRACTICES ACT";

     SECTION 1.  This act shall be known, and may be cited as the "Trauma-Informed DisciplineSchools Practices Act."      SECTION 2.  Findings.  (1)  With the rise in school shootings and violence in the United States, national research is confirming that anxiety and stress levels of children and teenagers are increasing at an alarming rate in public and private schools.  A child's exposure and reaction to trauma can interfere with brain development, learning and behavior, all of which have a potential impact on a child's academic success as well as the overall school experience.

                            (ii)  Teach school and classroom rules while reinforcing that violence and abusive behavior are not allowed, nor tolerated at school or school-related activities;

          (b)  Develop guidelines on trauma-informed disciplineschools, practices, based on professional input from licensed school social workers, who participate in in-home case management, certified trauma specialists, and by the State Department of Education, that LEAs must use to develop related policy.

          (a)  "Adverse Childhood Experiences" (ACEs) mean stressful or traumatic events experienced by minor children, including, but not limited to:  physical abuse, sexual abuse, illness, death of an immediate family member, poverty, neglect, neighborhood violence, natural or other disasters, hunger, bullying, family violence, emotional abuse and psychological abuse.

          (e)  "Trauma-informed disciplineschools" practices" means a strength-based framework, grounded in an understanding of and responsiveness to the impact of trauma that emphasizes physical, psychological and emotional safety for everyone, and that creates opportunities for survivors to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment.

          (d)  Requirements that the governing board of each LEA, public school, charter school and nonpublic school accredited by the State Department of Education adopts a policy requiring schools under their jurisdiction to perform an ACEs assessment before long-term suspension for ten (10) or more days, expelling a student, or requiring a student to attend alternative school;

and           (e)  The policy adopted by an educational entity under paragraph (d) of this section must provide guidance on who will administer the assessment, limited to the Licensed Certified Social Workers (LCSW), National Certified School Counselors, (NCSC), or Class AAA or AAAA psychologists.  The assessment findings must be considered before implementing long-term suspension for ten (10) or more days, expelling a student, or requiring a student to attend alternative school.