On Thursday, February 4th, the House Education and Labor Committee
considered legislation that will protect schoolchildren from harmful
uses of restraint and seclusion in their classrooms.
A recent
investigation by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found
hundreds of allegations that children have been abused, and some even
died, as a result of misuses of restraint and seclusion in public and
private schools, often at the hands of untrained staff. Unlike in
hospitals and other medical and community-based facilities that receive
federal health funding, there are currently no federal laws addressing
restraint and seclusion in schools.
The Preventing Harmful
Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247) is the first
national effort to address this troubling problem and ensure the safety
of everyone involved – both students and school staff. It would
establish minimum safety standards in schools and increase
transparency, oversight and enforcement to prevent future abuse, among
other things. Learn more about the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in the Schools Act.
Amendments:
-
Amendment #1 to H.R. 4247 by Mr. Miller (CA)
Passed by voice vote -
Amendment #2 to H.R. 4247 by Mrs. McCarthy (NY)
Withdrawn