Bill > A00719

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to add a new section to Article 17 of the state constitution, explicitly recognizing the prevention and mitigation of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as a public concern. Specifically, the bill would empower the state legislature to address ACEs through various means and at different levels of government, including state and local subdivisions. The proposed amendment would provide a constitutional framework for developing policies and programs aimed at preventing childhood trauma and supporting children who have experienced adverse experiences. The amendment would need to be referred to the first regular legislative session after the next general election and published for three months prior to that election, following the standard constitutional process for proposed amendments. This approach signals a formal commitment to protecting children's well-being and creating systematic approaches to addressing childhood trauma at a constitutional level.