BP BHEAD INT H [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to prohibiting the use of certain psychological techniques in the classroom; adding new sections to chapter 28A.150 RCW; creating a new section; prescribing penalties; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes the responsibility of educational practitioners to fulfill the obligations of the Washington state Constitution and to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of students. The legislature further recognizes certain techniques in some school programs need clarification to ensure educational practitioners, including teachers, administrators, counselors, and other staff, are practicing within the scope of their professional duties. Therefore, educational practitioners are prohibited from using hypnosis, transpersonal psychological techniques, or dissociative mental states, including any techniques that involve the induction of hypnotic states, guided imagery, meditation, or yoga.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) Educational practitioners are prohibited from using any curriculum or methods that produce or advocate a dissociative mental state. These methods include, but are not limited to, hypnosis, progressive relaxation, guided imagery, and nonsecular meditation.

(2) The definitions in this section apply to this section and section 3 of this act, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(a) "Dissociative mental state" or "hypnotic state" refers to the separation or isolation of mental processes in such a way that they become split off from the main personality or lose their normal thought‑affect relationship. In such a state, the boundary between reality or illusion becomes blurred.

(b) "Hypnosis" means a dissociative or altered state of consciousness, usually artificially induced, characterized by a heightened responsiveness to suggestions and commands, suspension of disbelief with a lowering of critical judgment, and the potential of altered perceptions. Hypnosis is also defined as a deliberately induced condition of suggestibility or trance.

(c) "Progressive relaxation" is a common induction technique for an altered state of consciousness. This involves the serial or sequential use in some combination of the following: Turning off the lights, reclining, closing the eyes, counted deep breathing exercises, alternate tensing and relaxing of muscle groups, repeating a single word or phrase. This is distinctly different from and should not be confused with simple resting, nap taking, or simple relaxation.

(d) "Guided imagery," also known as "visualization," "visual imagery," or "guided fantasy" is used as induction or deepening technique of hypnosis and meditation involving the communication or suggestion describing a scene in which the student or subject is encouraged to experientially participate, normally following a progressive relaxation technique. Guided imagery, a common technique of hypnosis, goes well beyond the normal use of the imagination.

(e) "Meditation" or "centering" is an altered state of consciousness, often synonymous with hypnosis sometimes called transcendental meditation, which is induced by progressive relaxation, focusing on deep breaths, and a mantra. This is not to be confused with secular meditation which involves alert, reflective, and cognitive contemplation.

(f) "Yoga" is a Hindu philosophy and method of religious training in which eastern meditation and contemplation are joined with physical exercises, allegedly to facilitate the body-mind-spirit.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Educational practitioners who use methods or curriculum advocating or producing dissociative states are in violation of professional practices. The first willful violation of section 2 of this act shall result in suspension without pay for no less than ten days. Subsequent violations shall result in dismissal with forfeiture of all state-issued licenses pertaining to education.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Sections 2 and 3 of this act are each added to chapter 28A.150 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.