WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1035

Creating policies and resources to address secondary traumatic stress in the higher education workforce.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Fosse and 8 co-sponsors

HB 1035 requires Washington higher education institutions to establish secondary traumatic stress policies and support resources for workforce mental health protection.

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce at 1:30 PM.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1035

Legislative bill overview

HB 1035 directs Washington's higher education institutions to develop comprehensive policies and provide resources to address secondary traumatic stress (STS) among faculty and staff. The bill recognizes that higher education workers—particularly those in counseling, social work, mental health, and student-facing roles—experience trauma exposure through their work and need institutional support systems.

Why is this important

Secondary traumatic stress affects workforce retention, mental health, and institutional capacity in higher education settings. Without formal recognition and resources, affected employees bear personal costs while institutions lose experienced staff, potentially diminishing service quality for students who need mental health and support services.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and Implementation: Institutions may face budget constraints implementing new policies, mental health resources, and training programs across potentially large workforces
  • Scope Definition: Disagreement may exist over which positions qualify as experiencing secondary traumatic stress and which institutional resources should be mandated versus voluntary
  • Liability and Documentation: Concerns could arise about whether formal STS policies create institutional liability or require problematic documentation of employee mental health conditions
  • Enforcement Mechanisms: The bill's language regarding how compliance will be monitored and what consequences exist for non-compliance remains unclear from available information

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.