Committee unanimously approves emergency resolve directing DOE guidance on supports for young students with challenging behaviors

The committee voted unanimously among those present to report out a strike-and-replace resolve, LD 2204, directing the Department of Education to create and distribute guidance for school administrators and leaders to support young students (pre‑K through grade 5) who exhibit or are affected by challenging, disruptive or unsafe behaviors.

Representative Kelly Murphy read the resolve aloud. The guidance must include developmentally appropriate behavioral responses, trauma-informed and restorative practices that emphasize prevention and de‑escalation, supportive interventions that maintain safety for other students and staff, strategies for communicating with families, and recommendations for professional development. The resolve requires stakeholder consultation (including school psychologists, counselors, special-education staff, family representatives and educator organizations), public dissemination of the guidance, technical assistance for implementation, and a report back to the committee by Jan. 15, 2027.

Representative Murphy said the guidance should be available to school administrators "before the start of this school year." The committee recorded a unanimous voice vote among those present to pass the resolve; the clerk recorded 10 members present and three absent at the time of the vote.

Next steps: DOE is authorized to develop the guidance and provide technical assistance; the department will report to the committee by the January 2027 deadline and may request legislation or resources as needed to implement the recommendations.