HF 327 (LSB 2081HH (2) 85)

HOUSE FILE 327

BY  ANDERSON, WOLFE, STAED, T. TAYLOR, GASKILL, MUHLBAUER, ABDUL-SAMAD, M. SMITH, COHOON, LENSING, STUTSMAN, WESSEL-KROESCHELL, H. MILLER, KEARNS, BEARINGER, R. OLSON, KRESSIG, JACOBY, GAINES, and HUNTER

(COMPANION TO 2081SS BY PETERSEN)

A BILL FOR

An Act providing for training on suicide prevention and trauma-informed care for school personnel.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 256.9, Code 2013, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  63.  In coordination with the department of public health, convene and facilitate an advisory group for the purpose of selecting qualified programs for the training of school personnel on suicide prevention and trauma-informed care as required by section 272.2, subsection 19. The advisory group shall be comprised of stakeholders, including but not limited to mental health professionals, school administrators, and guidance counselors.
    Sec. 2.  Section 272.2, Code 2013, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  19.  Adopt rules requiring individuals applying for renewal of a license, certificate, authorization, or statement of recognition issued by the board who provide a service to students from grades six through twelve to undergo two hours of training on suicide prevention and trauma-informed care prior to each renewal. For purposes of this subsection, “trauma-informed care” means services that are based on an understanding of the vulnerabilities and triggers of individuals who have experienced trauma, recognize the role trauma has played in the lives of those individuals, recognize the presence of trauma symptoms and their onset, are supportive of trauma recovery, and avoid further traumatization.
EXPLANATION
   This bill requires the board of educational examiners to adopt rules requiring individuals applying for renewal of a license, certificate, authorization, or statement of recognition issued by the board who provide a service to students from grades six through 12 to undergo two hours of training on suicide prevention and trauma-informed care prior to each renewal. The requirement applies each time an individual seeks renewal.
   The bill requires the director of the department of education, in coordination with the department of public health, to convene and facilitate an advisory group for the purpose of selecting qualified programs for the training required by the bill. The advisory group is to be comprised of stakeholders, including but not limited to mental health professionals, school administrators, and school guidance counselors.