LRB-3486/1
SRM:eev:ev
2013 - 2014 LEGISLATURE
November 4, 2013 - Introduced by Senators Lassa,
Olsen, Harris, Darling,
Lehman, L. Taylor, Risser and C. Larson, cosponsored by Representatives
Ballweg, Pasch, Kestell, Sargent, Mason, Johnson, Barnes, Wright,
Ohnstad, Goyke, Wachs, Spiros, Krug and Hulsey. Referred to Committee on
Senate Organization.
SJR59,1,1
1Relating to: early childhood brain development.
SJR59,1,62
Whereas, research over the last two decades from the evolving sciences of
3neuroscience, molecular biology, public health, genomics, and epigenetics reveals
4that experiences in the first thousand days of life build changes into the biology of
5the human body, which in turn influence a lifetime of physical and mental health;
6and
SJR59,1,97
Whereas, these early experiences literally shape the physical architecture of a
8child's developing brain and establish either a sturdy or a fragile foundation for all
9the learning, health, and behavior that follows; and
SJR59,1,1210
Whereas, chronic, unrelenting stress in early childhood caused by conditions
11such as extreme poverty, repeated abuse, neglect, severe maternal depression,
12parental substance abuse, and violence can be toxic to a child's developing brain; and
SJR59,1,1413
Whereas, early adversity can result in poor physical and mental health
14outcomes reverberating well into late adulthood; and
SJR59,2,3
1Whereas, a critical factor in buffering children from the effects of toxic stress
2is the existence of supportive, stable relationships between children and their
3families, caregivers, and other important people in their lives; and
SJR59,2,64
Whereas, it is more effective and less costly to positively influence the
5architecture of a young child's developing brain than to attempt to correct poor
6learning, health, and behaviors later in life; now, therefore, be it
SJR59,2,13
7Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That policy decisions
8enacted by the Wisconsin state legislature will acknowledge and take into account
9the principles of early childhood brain development and will, whenever possible,
10consider the concepts of toxic stress, early adversity, and buffering relationships, and
11note the role of early intervention and investment in early childhood years as
12important strategies to achieve a lasting foundation for a more prosperous and
13sustainable state through investing in human capital.
