Committee hears bill to extend K–12 secondary-trauma supports to higher education workforce

House Bill 1035, which would require public two- and four‑year institutions to adopt model policies and publish links to resources to prevent and address secondary traumatic stress in the higher‑education workforce, was the subject of a public hearing before the House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee.

The bill would direct the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and the regional university boards to develop and periodically update model policies and procedures that include a workforce mental health committee. Each community and technical college district and regional university would be required to adopt or amend policies that incorporate the model policy, and institutions would post links to resources, self‑assessments and best practices for faculty, staff and trustees.

Saranda Ross, counsel to the committee, summarized the bill for members, saying the legislature previously addressed similar needs in K–12…