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Seclusion and Restraint—House approves bill to limit physical restraint of students
March 03 2010
In Washington, DC, the House approved a bill Wednesday, March 3, 2010, to limit physical restraint and seclusion of students in schools. Lawmakers were responding to reports that abuses of restraint and seclusion methods have resulted in injury and even death to children. View the video of Chairman George Miller's closing statement.
Chairman George Miller's closing statement:
The bill, HR4247, approved 262 to 153 with support from Democrats and two dozen Republicans, sets guidelines that allow physical restraint or locked seclusion only when there is imminent danger of injury. It bans mechanical restraints, such as strapping children to chairs or duct-taping body parts, and any restraint that restricts breathing. It prohibits behavior-controlling medications that are not prescribed by doctors. The bill requires schools to notify parents after their child is restrained or secluded, and for states to develop their own policies to meet the federal standards within two years.
For more information visit the Washington Post, or Disability Scoop.
Representatives George Miller (D-California) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Washington) sponsored the bill, citing cases such as the 2002 Texas student who died after a teacher sat on him in a classroom, and others compiled in the Government Accountability Office Report. Many of the cases involved children with disabilities. Representative Miller is the House Education and Labor Committee Chair.