Rep. Lillian-Ortiz Self Reflects on School Shootings and the Importance of School Safety

In this older clip from 2019, Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, D-Mukilteo, talks about the press conference on a package of bills addressing school safety. Alissa Parker, whose daughter lost her life at the Sandy Hook shooting, gave testimony to the Education Committee and was also at the press conference.  Professor Eric Madfis, UW Tacoma, was also there and gave a presentation on his research regarding school safety. Ortiz-Self talks about her two bills that address the issue, HB 1265 concerning school counselors, and HB 1264 concerning secondary traumatic stress. 

It's been years since a devastating school shooting at Marysville Pilchuck High School shook our community to its core. The echoes of that tragedy, combined with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, set the stage for SHB 1363 which is a carry-over bill from HB 1264 which was introduced in the 2019-20 legislative session but got stuck in the Senate.. This bill is a phoenix rising from the ashes of its predecessor, HB 1264, which unfortunately got stuck in the Senate during the 2019-20 legislative session. The impetus for this legislation is rooted in the need to support school staff grappling with trauma, be it from school shootings, bullying, abuse, or other harrowing experiences faced by students.

[Washington House Democrats]. (2019, January 31). Rep. Ortiz-Self's video update: School safety [Video]. Youtube. https://youtu.be/LNJg7ADAyJc?si=9qAu54Xvx3Q-C2Io