Bill > A08034

This bill amends the education law to require teachers and educational leaders to complete a minimum of ten hours of continuing education focused on immigrant-related trauma during each five-year registration period. Specifically, the continuing education must address "immigrant focused trauma-informed practices," which are defined as understanding the impact of trauma related to immigration status on physical health, mental health, and childhood or adolescent development. The bill mandates that the education department will work with education providers to ensure sufficient availability of these courses, and that the specific number of required hours will be determined by the department. Teachers and leaders must complete these courses as part of their existing requirement to complete 100 hours of continuing education, and failure to do so will prevent them from receiving a registration certificate. The goal of this requirement is to help educators better support students who may be experiencing adverse childhood experiences as a result of their immigration status. The bill allows local school districts to negotiate additional professional development hours beyond these minimum requirements through collective bargaining.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8034