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After extended debate, author voluntarily defers bill to create trauma‑informed curriculum for educators
Summary
Rep. Marcel introduced HB 902 to direct LDH to develop an evidence-based trauma-informed training curriculum for school staff; Department of Education officials warned it risks adding burdens to teachers and overlapping existing training, opponents raised concerns about vague language ("culturally responsive") and scope, and the author voluntarily deferred the bill.
Rep. Amanda Marcel introduced House Bill 902 on May 19, asking the Department of Health to develop an evidence-based, trauma-informed training program for educators and other school personnel. The author said the bill would update the content of existing training and not increase the statutory training time that teachers must complete.
Alma Stewart Allen of the Louisiana Center for Health Equity told the committee the measure responds to a task force report that found some educators felt the current one-hour online training did not provide sufficient tools. “This legislation proposes that the Department of Health develop and implement a statewide trauma informed program for all individuals involved in child education,” she said.
Officials from the Department of Education and BESE pushed back on several points. Ashley Townsend of the state education department said the state already requires one hour of ACEs training and multiple professional-development items and warned the bill could add to teachers’ non-instructional burden: “My opinion concerning this bill is that this is not an appropriate training for teachers to do,” she told the committee, adding that districts need school-level resources and designated staff with deeper training.
Committee members pressed the author about specific language in the bill — particularly the phrase “promote culturally responsive and developmentally appropriate approaches.” Members including Rep. Carlson and Rep. Owen asked who would determine curriculum content and whether the language could allow the program to embrace broader ideological concepts rather than narrowly clinical or behavioral interventions. The author and LDH witnesses said the Department of Health would consult experts and that the bill seeks standards and access to in-person options (conferences) rather than mandatory new time requirements.
Faith- and parent-group witnesses urged rejection. Dr. Will Hall of the Louisiana Baptist Office of Public Policy argued the bill could confuse mandatory-reporting responsibilities and said passage could “cause harm” if training content displaced mandatory-reporter instruction.
Following extensive questioning and public comment from education, health and faith groups, Rep. Landry — speaking on behalf of the author — voluntarily deferred HB 902 so the sponsor can continue consultations and clarify language and scope.
What happens next: The author’s voluntary deferral pauses the bill’s progress in this committee while the sponsor and stakeholders revise language and consult LDH, BESE and local school systems. The transcript shows active disagreement about scope, implementation responsibility (LDH vs. LDOE), and whether the changes would expand teachers’ responsibilities beyond current mandated reporter and one-hour ACEs training.
Provenance: topicintro: SEG 2090; topfinish: SEG 3997.
Speakers quoted: Rep. Marcel (author); Alma Stewart Allen (Louisiana Center for Health Equity); Ashley Townsend and Ken Bradford (Department of Education); Dr. Will Hall (Louisiana Baptist).
