115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 5889 

AN ACT 

To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services 

to disseminate information, resources, and if requested, 

technical assistance to early childhood care and education 

providers and professionals working with young children 

on ways to properly recognize and respond to children 

who may be impacted by trauma related to substance 

abuse. 
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•HR 5889 EH

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Recognizing Early 

5 Childhood Trauma Related to Substance Abuse Act of 

6 2018’’. 

7 SEC. 2. RECOGNIZING EARLY CHILDHOOD TRAUMA RE8 LATED TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE. 

9 (a) DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION.—The Sec10 retary of Health and Human Services shall disseminate 

11 information, resources, and, if requested, technical assist12 ance to early childhood care and education providers and 

13 professionals working with young children on— 

14 (1) ways to properly recognize children who 

15 may be impacted by trauma related to substance 

16 abuse by a family member or other adult; and 

17 (2) how to respond appropriately in order to 

18 provide for the safety and well-being of young chil19 dren and their families. 

20 (b) GOALS.—The information, resources, and tech21 nical assistance provided under subsection (a) shall— 

22 (1) educate early childhood care and education 

23 providers and professionals working with young chil24 dren on understanding and identifying the early 

25 signs and risk factors of children who might be im-
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•HR 5889 EH

1 pacted by trauma due to exposure to substance 

2 abuse; 

3 (2) suggest age-appropriate communication 

4 tools, procedures, and practices for trauma-informed 

5 care, including ways to prevent or mitigate the ef6 fects of trauma; 

7 (3) provide options for responding to children 

8 impacted by trauma due to exposure to substance 

9 abuse that consider the needs of the child and fam10 ily, including recommending resources and referrals 

11 for evidence-based services to support such family; 

12 and 

13 (4) promote whole-family and multi14 generational approaches to prevent separation and 

15 support re-unification of families whenever possible 

16 and in the best interest of the child. 

17 (c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Such information, re18 sources, and if applicable, technical assistance, shall not 

19 be construed to amend the requirements under— 

20 (1) the Child Care and Development Block 

21 Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.); 

22 (2) the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et 

23 seq.); or 
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•HR 5889 EH

1 (3) the Individuals with Disabilities Education 

2 Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.). 

Passed the House of Representatives June 13, 2018. 

Attest: 

Clerk. 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 5889 

AN ACT 

To require the Secretary of Health and Human 

stance abuse. who may be impacted by trauma related to subto properly recognize and respond to children fessionals working with young children on ways childhood care and education providers and proand if requested, technical assistance to early Services to disseminate information, resources,