ICYMI: Pair of Marchman Bills Clears Education Committee

Bills would improve the use of trauma-informed practices in schools

DENVER, CO – Yesterday a pair of bills sponsored by Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, to improve the use of trauma-informed practices in schools cleared the Senate Education Committee.

"Every child deserves a supportive learning environment, especially when facing adversity," said Marchman. "These bills work together to ensure that both school safety drills and daily interactions prioritize student well-being while respecting and maintaining local control. By incorporating trauma-informed practices and the Handle-With-Care notice, we are creating a safer, more supportive space for all students to learn and thrive."

SB25-027 would establish a work group in the Office of School Safety within the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to develop recommendations on the use of trauma-informed practices in conducting school safety drills. 

Trauma-informed practices equip school personnel with knowledge and strategies to make school safety drills less traumatic and anxiety-inducing for students. Under the bill, the work group would meet throughout 2025 and 2026, and would be required to submit a report to the DPS and the legislature containing their findings and recommendations.

The committee also advanced SB25-064 with bipartisan support, which would require the Safe2Tell program in the DPS and Department of Law to provide a handle-with-care notice to a school when an enrolled student has experienced a traumatic event that occurred at the student’s home.

Safe2Tell gives students, parents, and community members a safe, anonymous way to report any threats to their safety or the safety of someone else. Traumatic events include situations such as domestic violence, serious accidents, or abuse and neglect.

Both SB25-027 and SB25-064 now head to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration.