Amends TCA Title 49.

Present law requires the department of education to develop an evidence-based training program on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) for school leaders and teachers. ACEs are stressful or traumatic events experienced by minor children, such as physical abuse or substance abuse. Present law also authorizes local education agencies (LEAs) to develop their own ACEs training program to make available to their school personnel.<br /> <br /> This bill requires each local board of education to adopt a policy requiring schools within the LEA to perform an ACEs assessment before suspending or expelling a student or requiring a student to attend in-school suspension or alternative school. The LEA policy must provide guidance on who will administer the assessment. These assessments must be considered before suspending or expelling a student, requiring a student to attend in-school suspension, or requiring a student to attend alternative school. The results of the ACEs assessment must be included in any report made to explain the reason for a student's suspension, expulsion, in-school suspension, or assignment to an alternative school. The policy must require schools within the LEA to conduct an ACEs assessment when considering disciplinary action against a student if the LEA has not conducted an ACEs assessment of that student within one calendar year.<br /> <br /> ON APRIL 18, 2019, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 405, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #1 rewrites this bill to add a preamble and require each LEA and public charter school to adopt a trauma-informed discipline policy that does the following:<br /> <br /> (1) Balances accountability with an understanding of traumatic behavior;<br /> (2) Teaches school and classroom rules while reinforcing that violent or abusive behavior is not allowed at school;<br /> (3) Minimizes disruptions to education with an emphasis on positive behavioral supports and behavioral intervention plans;<br /> (4) Creates consistent rules and consequences; and <br /> (5) Models respectful, nonviolent relationships.<br /> <br /> This amendment requires the department of education to develop guidance on trauma-informed discipline practices that LEAs must use to develop a trauma-informed discipline policy.<br /> <br />