Resolve, To Improve Maine's Response to Childhood Trauma

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 consider the following topics:

1. Mandated 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 requiring 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 mandated 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.

SUMMARY

This resolve directs the Commissioner of Education to 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 and to submit a report 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.