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HCS/SB 711 - This act modifies several provisions relating to elementary and secondary education. CPR INSTRUCTION Beginning with the 2017-18 school year, this act requires high school pupils in public schools and charter schools to have received thirty minutes of CPR instruction and training in the proper performance of the Heimlich maneuver or other first aid for choking prior to graduation. The act also requires the training to be included in the district's existing health or physical education curriculum. (Section 170.310) This provision is identical to a provision contained in SCS/HB 1678 (2016) and HB 1643 (2016) and is substantially similar to HCS/HB 457 (2015). DYSLEXIA By July 1, 2017, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must employ a dyslexia therapist, licensed psychometrist, licensed speech-language pathologist, certified academic language therapist, or certified training specialist with a minimum of three years of field experience in screening, identifying, and treating dyslexia. This individual will serve as the Department's dyslexia specialist. The dyslexia specialist must be certified from a program approved by the Legislative Task Force on Dyslexia. Duties of the dyslexia specialist are described in the act. (Section 161.1005) This provision is identical to a provision contained in HB 1611 (2016), HCS/HB 1928 (2016), SB 633 (2016), SB 764 (2016) and is substantially similar to SB 548 (2015) and a provision contained in HCS/HB 921 (2015). By December 31, 2017, this act requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop guidelines for the appropriate screening of students for dyslexia and related disorders and to develop the necessary classroom support for such students. Beginning in the 2018-19 school year, each public school, including charter schools, shall conduct dyslexia screenings and provide reasonable classroom support consistent with the findings and recommendations of the Legislative Task Force on Dyslexia, which is created by the act. Additionally, practicing teacher assistance programs shall include two hours of in-service training regarding dyslexia and related disorders provided by each school district for all practicing teachers. Such training shall count as two contact hours of professional development. (Section 167.950) This provision is identical to a provision contained in HCS/HB 2379 (2016). This act creates the Legislative Task Force on Dyslexia. The Task Force will advise and make recommendations to the Governor, General Assembly, and relevant state agencies. The Task Force will consist of seventeen members, as described in the act. Except for four legislative members and the Commissioner of Education, the members will be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The task force will make recommendations for a statewide system for identification, intervention, and delivery of supports for students with dyslexia, as described in the act. The Task Force will hire or contract for hire specialist services to support the work of the Task Force as necessary with appropriations or from other available funding. The Task Force will terminate on August 31, 2018, unless reauthorized. (633.420) This provision is substantially similar to provisions contained in HCS/HB 2379 (2016), HCS/HB 1928 (2016), HB 1611 (2016), SCS/SB 638 (2016), SB 633 (2016), SB 764 (2016), SB 548 (2015) and HCS/HB 921 (2015). EARLY LEARNING QUALITY ASSURANCE REPORT This act repeals the prohibition of a quality rating system for early childhood education. (Section 161.216) This act also establishes an early learning quality assurance report three year pilot program in collaboration with the Missouri Head Start Collaboration Office and the Departments of Health and Senior Services, Mental Health, and Social Services. The program is voluntary for any licensed, license-exempt, or certified early learning providers that are center-based or home based and providing services for children from any age up to kindergarten. The early learning quality assurance report may include, but is not limited to, information regarding staff qualifications, instructional quality, professional development, health and safety standards, parent engagement, and community engagement. (Section 161.217) This provision is substantially similar to SB 1084 (2016), HB 2566 (2016), and HCS/SCS/SB 996 (2016). TRAUMA-INFORMED SCHOOLS INITIATIVE This act establishes the Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall provide information regarding the trauma-informed approach, as described in the act, to all school districts, offer training on the trauma-informed approach to all school districts, and develop an informational website about the Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative. (Section 161.1050) Subject to appropriations, this act also establishes the Trauma-Informed Schools Pilot Program, under which DESE shall choose five schools to receive intensive training, as described in the act, on the trauma-informed approach. The schools shall be chosen as described in the act. DESE shall terminate the pilot program on August 28, 2019. By December 21, 2019, DESE shall submit a report to the General Assembly containing the results of the program, including any benefits experience by the participating schools. The pilot program shall be funded through the Trauma-Informed Schools Pilot Program Fund, which is created by the act. (Section 161.1055) These provisions are identical to HCS/HBs 2565 & 2564 (2016) and to provisions contained in HCS/HB 1928 (2016). GUIDANCE COUNSELORS This act changes the term "guidance counselor" to "school counselor" in laws relating to elementary and secondary education. (Sections 168.303 and 168.520) These provisions are identical to HB 2428 (2016) and to provisions contained in HB 1611 (2016) and HCS/HB 1928 (2016). ACADEMIC AND CAREER COUNSELING PROGRAMS This act allows a school district or charter school to establish an academic and career counseling program in cooperation with parents and the local community. By January 1, 2017, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop a process for recognition of a school district's program. (Section 167.266) This provision is identical to a provision contained in HB 1611 (2016) and HCS/HB 1928 (2016). STUDENT IMMUNIZATIONS This act requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to develop a brochure that includes information on all meningococcal vaccines receiving a Category A or B recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and a recommendation that the current or entering student receive meningococcal vaccines in accordance with current practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. (Section 167.638) This provision is identical to a provision contained in HB 2616 (2016). Under current law, every public institution of higher education in Missouri must require all students residing in on-campus housing to have received the meningococcal vaccine, unless an exemption applies. This act would require all such students to have received the vaccine not more than 5 years prior to enrollment and in accordance with the latest recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, this act defines "on-campus" housing as including any fraternity or sorority residence, privately owned or not, on or near the campus of a public institution of higher education. (Section 174.335) This provision is identical to SB 1005 (2016) and to a provision contained in HB 2616 (2016). HIGHER EDUCATION EMPLOYEE TRAVEL EXPENSES This act prohibits public institutions of higher education from paying or reimbursing out-of-state travel expenses for spouses of full-time employees unless the spouse is also employed by the institution on a full-time basis. (Section 173.478) This provision is identical to HB 2822 (2016). CERTIFICATE OF NEED FOR STATE HOSPITALS This act requires hospitals operated and licensed by the state, with the exception of Department of Mental Health-operated psychiatric hospitals, to obtain a certificate of need and to comply with statutes relating to certificates of need. However, no certificate of need shall be required for the purchase and operation of medical equipment used by an academic health center operated by the state in furtherance of research or instruction. (Section 197.315) This provision is identical to HCS/HB 2441 (2016) and to a provision contained in HCS/HB 2402 (2016) and HCS/HB 1912 (2016). FLU VACCINATIONS This act requires that, between October 1 and March 1 of each year, all licensed long-term care facilities must assist their employees, volunteers, and health care workers to obtain a vaccination for the influenza virus by either offering the vaccination at the facility or by providing information as to how to independently obtain it. This provision is identical to a provision contained in HB 2616 (2016). JOSHUA NORBERG
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