SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1363
As of March 10, 2021
Title: An act relating to policies and resources to address secondary traumatic stress in the K-12 workforce.
Brief Description: Addressing secondary trauma in the K-12 workforce.
Sponsors: House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Ortiz-Self, Callan, Davis, Ramos, Simmons, Berg, Morgan, Bergquist, Harris-Talley and Pollet).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/25/21, 58-40.
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 3/12/21.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to publish on its website links to resources, self-assessments, and best practices to prevent and address secondary traumatic stress in the K-12 workforce.
  • Directs the Washington State School Directors' Association to develop and periodically update a model policy and procedure to prevent and address secondary traumatic stress.
  • Requires school districts to adopt a policy and procedure that incorporates the model by the beginning of the 2021-22 school year and periodically review.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION
Staff: Ailey Kato (786-7434)
Background:

Vicarious or Secondary Trauma.  The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) published a training tool that defines vicarious or secondary trauma.  Vicarious or secondary trauma is post-traumatic stress disorder behaviors and emotions resulting from internalizing the traumatizing event experienced by another.  The training tool explains it is not uncommon for school professionals, who have a classroom with one or more students struggling with the effects of trauma, to experience symptoms very much like those their students are exhibiting.

 

Washington State School Directors' Association.  The Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) is the state agency that provides advice and assistance to local school boards.  WSSDA is charged with coordinating policymaking, control, and management of the state's school districts.  Among other actions, WSSDA adopts model policies and procedures, often in response to legislative directives.
Summary of Bill:

Resources.  OSPI must publish on its website links to resources, self-assessments, and best practices for educators and local policymakers to prevent and address secondary traumatic stress in the workforce.  OSPI must collaborate with WSSDA, the educational service districts (ESDs), and the School Employees' Benefits Board (SEBB) to provide links to any resources on secondary traumatic stress available through these organizations.

 

Model Policy and Procedure.  By August 1, 2021, WSSDA must develop or revise a model policy and procedure to prevent and address secondary traumatic stress and post it on its website.  It must include:

  • a commitment to support mental health in the workforce;
  • promotion of a positive workplace climate with a focus on diversity and inclusion; 
  • establishment of a district-wide workforce mental health committee; 
  • regular assessment of district-level and school building-level implementation of the policy and procedures that includes input from the workforce; and
  • provision of appropriate resources and training to schools and staff for continuous improvement.

 

WSSDA must periodically update the model policy and procedure and post it within a reasonable time. 

 

The district-wide workforce mental health committee must:

  • share mental health resources and supports available through OSPI, ESDs, and SEBB;
  • share links to a self-assessment tool and any associated resources; and
  • report to the school district board of directors at least once per year.

 

School District Policies and Procedures.  By the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, each school district must adopt, or amend if necessary, policies and procedures that at a minimum incorporate the required elements in the model.  School districts must periodically review their policies and procedures for consistency with updated versions of the model.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.