Resolve, To Improve Maine's Response to Childhood Trauma

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  the task force on childhood trauma response guidance, established by this resolve, is convened to develop guidance for kindergarten to grade 12 administrators on appropriate training and responses to childhood trauma; and

Whereas,  the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that the study may be completed and a report submitted in time for submission to the next legislative session; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Task force on childhood trauma response guidance. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Education shall convene a task force, inviting the participation of experts and interested parties, to develop guidance for kindergarten to grade 12 administrators on appropriate training and responses to childhood trauma. In developing the guidance, the task force shall consult with any other task force or work group convened by the Department of Education whose work may inform the work of this task force and consider the following topics:

1. Training for preschool and kindergarten to grade 12 teachers, administrators and other faculty on adverse childhood experiences and trauma, including the establishment of state certification rules regarding training hours in trauma and the effect of trauma on learning and behavior;

2. A response-to-intervention process that includes behavioral health and social and emotional screening and referral to support procedures;

3. A policy that sets a standard ratio for students to support staff to ensure adequate staffing to meet the behavioral and emotional needs of students;

4. A social and emotional learning curriculum for kindergarten to grade 8;

5. An attendance policy and discipline policy that is established with a trauma-informed perspective; and

6. A policy that ensures publicly funded schools and preschools have the resources and funds necessary to develop school and school administrative unit action plans for addressing the needs of traumatized children and creating trauma-informed school environments.

Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Education shall submit a report on the work of the task force under section 1 to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by December 4, 2019. The committee is authorized to submit legislation related to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 129th Legislature.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.