Senate Bill 2667

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-3-89, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL REQUIRE EACH EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM TO HAVE A COURSE IN MENTAL DISTURBANCE AWARENESS AND TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACHES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-3-89, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-3-89. (1) The State Board of Education, acting through the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development, shall require each educator preparation program in the state, as a condition for approval, to include a course or courses on school discipline or classroom management, including mental disturbance awareness and trauma-informed approaches as defined in subsection (2) of this section, as a required part of the teacher education program. All school discipline or classroom management courses offered by a teacher education program shall be approved by the Educator License Commission.

(2) "Mental disturbance awareness and trauma-informed approaches" means incorporating principles of mental disturbance awareness, trauma awareness and trauma-informed and evidenced-based practices, as recommended by the federal Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in a school in order to foster a safe learning environment for all students and staff, and to ensure that each student is well-known by at least one (1) adult in the school setting.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.