Committee hears bill asking Board of Nursing to consider trauma‑informed care education; lawmakers express mixed views

Senate Bill 181, presented to the House Committee on Public Health on Oct. 27, would direct the Indiana State Board of Nursing to consider trauma‑informed care training for nurses. Committee members and witnesses said they support trauma‑informed concepts but differ on whether statute should mandate curriculum.

Sen. Kreider, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure aims to “provide consistency and simplify the review of clinical experience and supervision hours” and to raise awareness among nurses about how trauma can present in health care settings. “My goal ... is to have more individuals who are in the service delivery mode that can understand why an individual in front of them may be exhibiting symptoms that aren't consistent with what their overall general health is,” he said.

Katie Feely, CEO of the Indiana State Nurses Association, told the committee the association stood neutral. She said current nursing curricula already include broad scientific and behavioral topics required by national accrediting bodies and cautioned that adding a specific statutory requirement could conflict with accrediting standards and the NCLEX testing focus used to structure programs.

Members described real‑world examples that illustrate demand for trauma‑aware care, including instances in emergency rooms where social workers sought placements that were unavailable. Representative Hostetler urged caution, saying a well‑intentioned mandate could have unintended consequences for families and for clinical practice. Representative Behning suggested hospitals might be a preferred locus for such training, so that all staff who interact with patients receive instruction.

Several committee members supported a narrower, incremental approach. Representative Shackleford and others said targeted action for nurses may be a pragmatic first step while broader options — such as the House‑passed House Bill 1241 creating a trauma‑informed care committee — move forward.

Committee members heard that some facilities and accrediting bodies already teach trauma‑informed concepts. Feely said the Indiana State Nurses Association and Indiana Hospital Association are developing webinar content for members and that the association supports the creation of a broader advisory commission under House Bill 1241.

The committee did not pass SB 181 at today’s hearing and indicated further work and coordination with stakeholders would be needed before advancing any statutory requirement.