Committee advances bill requiring implicit-bias training for social-service workers

Senate Bill 3,927 — which would require implicit-bias and cultural-competency training for social-service workers at the state, county and municipal levels, including an online tutorial to be completed by April 1 of each even-numbered year and annual training — was posted, moved and released by the Senate Labor Committee on Oct. 1. Senator McKnight sponsored the measure and the committee advanced it after brief comments and recorded votes.

During committee consideration Senator Steinhardt briefly spoke in support but later recorded a "no" vote; other members including Vice Chairs Wicker and Chairman Johnson voted to release the bill. The legislation also requires certain certifications and verifications to be reported to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development as public information. The committee indicated the bill will undergo any needed amendments before floor consideration.