2022 -- H 6667

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LC003488

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS -- TRAUMA

INFORMED SCHOOLS ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Ranglin-Vassell, Kislak, Barros, Biah, and Henries

     Date Introduced: January 06, 2022

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     16-21-40. Trauma informed schools act.

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     The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall:

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     (1) Establish and implement trauma-informed practices within all elementary and

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secondary education schools throughout the state, that:

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     (i) Promote a shared understanding among teachers, teacher’s assistants, school leaders,

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paraprofessionals, specialized instructional support personnel, and other staff that:

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     (A) Traumatic experiences are common among students;

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     (B) Trauma can impact student learning, behavior, and relationships in school;

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     (C) Traumatic experiences do not inherently undermine the capabilities of students to reach

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high expectations in academics and life;

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     (D) School-wide learning environments, where all students and adults feel safe, welcomed,

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and supported, can enable students to succeed despite traumatic experiences; and

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     (E) Services, supports, and programs provided to meet individual student needs should be

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trauma-informed, where appropriate, and increase student connection to the school-wide learning

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environment.

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     (ii) Adopt disciplinary procedures and practices that:

 

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     (A) Accompany disciplinary actions with holistic assessments and positive behavioral

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interventions and supports to address the underlying causes of student behavior, including trauma;

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     (B) Avoid harsh, punitive, or exclusionary disciplinary practices;

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     (C) Utilize evidence-based restorative practices that build a culture of trust; and

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     (D) Do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual

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orientation or gender identity), disability, English proficiency status, migrant status, or age.

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     (iii) Implement activities that engage teachers, teacher’s assistants, school leaders,

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paraprofessionals, specialized instructional support personnel, and other staff, in a process of

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school-based planning to:

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     (A) Promote a school-wide culture of acceptance;

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     (B) Help all students feel safe and connected to the school community;

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     (C) Support all students to form positive relationships with adults and peers, understand

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and manage emotions, achieve success academically and in extracurricular areas, and experience

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physical and psychological health and well-being;

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     (D) Promote teamwork and effective communication among all staff and shared

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responsibility for every student;

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     (E) Integrate evidence-based practices that build social-emotional skills into rigorous

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academic instruction; and

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     (F) Recognize and prevent adult implicit bias.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS -- TRAUMA

INFORMED SCHOOLS ACT

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     This act would establish the implementation of trauma-informed practices in schools

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throughout the state.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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