United StatesFederally funded schools would face limits on student restraint
If enacted, the bill would bar seclusion in federally funded schools and programs, limit physical restraint to immediate danger, and set parent notice and state reporting rules.
What it does
Federally funded schools and programs would be barred from seclusion and mechanical or chemical restraints. Physical restraint would be allowed only to stop an immediate danger of serious injury, under strict safety rules.
After a physical restraint, programs would have to notify parents and meet with them within five school days. States and Head Start agencies would also publish yearly reports on restraint incidents.
States would plan and report on restraint rules and incidents. Approved states could receive grants for prevention and training, if Congress provides the money.
Argument forStudents could face fewer dangerous restraints because the bill bars seclusion and requires safer, less restrictive steps before physical restraint.
Argument againstSchools may struggle to find trained staff during an unexpected crisis, though the bill allows untrained staff to restrain a student in a rare, unavoidable emergency.
More detail
Programs receiving federal aid would be barred from secluding students or using mechanical or chemical restraints, and from using physical restraint except under strict safety rules. The rules would cover students in programs that receive federal financial assistance, including public school systems and certain Head Start and private school programs. Physical restraint would be allowed only when a student poses an immediate danger of serious physical injury and less restrictive steps would not stop that danger. Trained and certified staff must impose the restraint unless a rare, clearly unavoidable emergency makes trained staff unavailable. Restraint must stop when the danger ends and use the least force needed.
Programs would have to notify parents after each physical restraint and hold a follow-up meeting; states and Head Start agencies would have to report restraint data publicly. These requirements would apply to programs covered by the bill and to state education agencies and Head Start agencies. A parent would receive a verbal or electronic notice as soon as practical, no later than the day of the incident, and written details within 24 hours. The program would meet with the parent within five school days unless both sides agree in writing to delay. State reports would protect student privacy when small group counts could identify a student.
States would submit plans and yearly reports, and the Education Secretary could award grants for prevention, training, data collection, and related school supports. State education agencies would submit plans and reports; approved state agencies could receive grants and pass some funds to local education agencies. The first state plan and report would be due within two years after enactment, with updates each year. Grants would depend on Congress providing the authorized money and on a state application being approved. States receiving grants would have to use the funds for listed restraint prevention, training, and reporting activities.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Dec 11Introduced in HouseLatest
- Dec 11Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.Introduced
EducationDisability RightsGovernment & Ethics