Bill Text: WV HB4649 | 2020 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Relating to implementation of trauma-informed practices in schools
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-4)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-14 - To House Finance [HB4649 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2020-HB4649-Comm_Sub.html
WEST virginia legislature
2020 regular session
Committee Substitute
for
House Bill 4649
By Delegates Lavender-Bowe, Zukoff, Dean, Rowan, Higginbotham, Evans, C. Thompson, R. Thompson, Doyle, Ellington and Robinson
[Originating in the Committee on Education]
February 13, 2020
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-2-43, relating to implementation of trauma-informed practices in schools; providing for an effective date; requiring training for certain school personnel; providing definition of trauma-informed practices including certain evidence-based professional development, adoption of certain disciplinary procedures and practices, and activities that engage certain school personnel in school-based planning to achieve certain objectives; and providing for rulemaking.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
Article 2. State Board of Education.
§18-2-43. Implementation of trauma-informed practices.
(a) Beginning July 1, 2020, the state board shall implement trauma-informed practices in the public schools in this state from kindergarten through grade 12.
(b) The state board shall provide training for all teachers, school leaders, paraprofessionals and specialized instructional support personnel on trauma-informed practices.
(c) “Trauma-informed practices” means:
(1) Evidence-based professional development that promotes a shared understanding among teachers, teachers’ assistants, school leaders, paraprofessionals, specialized instructional support personnel and other staff that:
(A) Traumatic experiences are common among students;
(B) Trauma can impact student learning, behavior and relationships in school;
(C) Traumatic experiences do not inherently undermine the capabilities of students to reach high expectations in academics and life;
(D) School-wide learning environments where all students and adults feel safe, welcomed, and supported can enable students to succeed despite traumatic experiences; and
(E) Services, support, and programs provided to meet individual student needs should be trauma-informed, where appropriate, and increase student connection to the school-wide learning environment;
(2) Adoption of disciplinary procedures and practices that:
(A) Accompany disciplinary actions with holistic assessments and positive behavioral interventions and support to address the underlying causes of student behavior, including trauma;
(B) Avoid harsh and punitive, exclusionary disciplinary practices; and
(C) Utilize evidence-based restorative practices that build a culture of trust.
(3) Activities that engage teachers, teachers’ assistants, school leaders, paraprofessionals, specialized instructional support personnel, and other staff in a process of school-based planning to:
(A) Promote a school-wide culture of acceptance;
(B) Help all students feel safe and connected to the school community;
(C) Support all students to form positive relationships with adults and peers, understand and manage emotions, achieve success academically and in extra-curricular areas, and experience physical and psychological health and well-being;
(D) Promote teamwork and effective communication among all staff and shared responsibility for every student;
(E) Integrate evidence-based practices that build social-emotional skills into rigorous academic instruction; and
(F) Recognize and prevent adult implicit bias.
(d) The state board is authorized to promulgate legislative rules in accordance with §29A-3B-1 et seq. of this code, and if necessary, may promulgate an emergency rule in accordance with said article, for the implementation of this section.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require the State Board of Education to implement trauma-informed practices in grades K-12.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.
