On December 9, the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247, S. 2860) was introduced in the House and Senate. These bills would prevent and reduce inappropriate restraint and seclusion by establishing minimum safety standards in schools, similar to protections already in place in hospitals and non-medical community-based facilities.

The historic legislation was prompted by a government report that found "hundreds of cases of alleged abuse and death related to the use of these methods on school children during the past two decades. Examples of these cases include a 7 year old purportedly dying after being held face down for hours by school staff, 5 year olds allegedly being tied to chairs with bungee cords and duct tape by their teacher and suffering broken arms and bloody noses, and a 13 year old reportedly hanging himself in a seclusion room after prolonged confinement."

These abusive practices were used disproportionately on children with disabilities, including children diagnosed with autism, cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities.

Take Action
We need your help in getting co-sponsors for the bills, especially Republican co-sponsors.

Members of Congress will be returning to their home districts for the holidays. They will be home until January 8 when the Second Session of the 111th Congress begins. It is important to contact your members of Congress while they are in their home districts to ask them to become co-sponsors of the bills. Scheduling a personal visit is best, but calls, emails, and letters help, too. A sample message is provided We strongly encourage you to add any information about yourself and your personal interest in the problem of seclusion and restraint of children in school.