LANSING (WKZO-AM) — Lt. Governor Brian Calley told the House Education Committee that it is “probably the most important legislation you will consider”.
It’s a bill proposed by Senator Margaret O’Brien of Portage that would take restrictions on restraint and seclusion techniques used in school to control students with behavior issues that have only been suggestions, and codify them into law.
It was inspired in part by the death of a Parchment student, who died in 2003 because of the way he was held down by staff. After that the guidelines were formulated but only offered as guidance until now.
Restraint involves staff trying to restrict the movement of a student with physical contact, and it’s only used in emergency situations where harm might be involved. Seclusion involves confining a student in a room until the student can regain control on their own.
The package of ten bills also includes provisions requiring reporting responsibilities to the state and to the parents. It also includes some teeth for the state to respond when a district violates the policies.
The committee took testimony on the bills yesterday.
