The Senate passed a bill Thursday that would require sheriff’s departments in all 55 counties to participate and utilize the Handle With Care Program for trauma-inflicted children.
Senate Bill 658 would require sheriff’s departments to notify teachers after a child has been on the scene of a police incident. Whether it be a domestic dispute, a death, a car accident, a drug overdose, or any other incident where law enforcement has been called, the child’s teacher would be notified.
As of now, participation isn’t required by law, only suggested.
No details regarding the specific situations would be released to teachers, just a notification to handle the child with care. That could mean allowing the student to take a test at a later date, helping them with homework, forgiving a due date, or any number of things.
The lead sponsor of the bill, Senator Amy Grady (R-Mason, 04), a teacher, has seen first hand how kids can be affected in school following a traumatic experience.
“A little extra love, a little extra patience, a little more understanding, can go a long way, Grady said. This is a program that works.”
The bill now heads to the House of Delegates for consideration.
The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, March 26, at 10 a.m.
All meetings are available for video streaming at our Legislature Live page.
Health and Human Resources will meet at 2:30 p.m. in 451M.
Energy, Industry and Mining will meet at 2:30 p.m. in 208W.
Education will meet at 3:30 p.m. in 451M.
Government Organization will meet at 3:30 p.m. in 208W.
Finance will meet at 4:30 p.m. in 451M.
Judiciary will meet at 4:30 p.m. in 208W.
