HB 1130

AN ACT TO BE KNOWN AND CITED AS THE "TRAUMA-INFORMED STUDENT ASSESSMENT EXEMPTION ACT"; TO RECOGNIZE THE ADVERSE ACADEMIC IMPACT OF GRIEF, TRAUMA AND LOSS ON STUDENTS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN HIGH-STAKES TESTING; TO AUTHORIZE TEMPORARY EXEMPTIONS FROM PARTICIPATION IN HIGH-STAKES ASSESSMENTS FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING QUALIFYING TRAUMA-OR-LOSS EVENTS; TO ENSURE THAT SUCH EXEMPTIONS DO NOT NEGATIVELY AFFECT STUDENT PROMOTION, GRADUATION ELIGIBILITY, SCHOLARSHIP OR FINANCIAL AID CONSIDERATION OR ACCESS TO ADVANCED OR SPECIALIZED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS; TO EXCLUDE EXEMPTED STUDENTS FROM STATE AND FEDERAL ACCOUNTABILITY METRICS DURING THE EXEMPTION PERIOD AND AUTHORIZE THE USE OF ALTERNATIVE MEASURES OF STUDENT PROGRESS; TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR REQUESTING, REVIEWING, APPROVING OR DENYING EXEMPTIONS IN A MANNER THAT IS TIMELY, EQUITABLE, MINIMALLY BURDENSOME AND TRAUMA-SENSITIVE; TO REQUIRE WRITTEN NOTICE OF EXEMPTION DETERMINATIONS AND THE SAFEGUARDING OF STUDENT PRIVACY; TO PROHIBIT THE IMPOSITION OF ACCOUNTABILITY PENALTIES ON SCHOOLS OR DISTRICTS FOR HONORING APPROVED EXEMPTIONS; TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ISSUE GUIDANCE AND PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON TRAUMA-RESPONSIVE ASSESSMENT PRACTICES; TO MANDATE ANNUAL REPORTING TO THE LEGISLATURE ON EXEMPTION USAGE AND IMPACT WITHOUT DISCLOSURE OF PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE STUDENT INFORMATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.