Federal Legislation: U.S. House Committee on Education & Labor passes bill to regulate use of restraint and seclusion in U.S. schools

On Thursday February 4, 2010, the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor by bipartisan vote of 34-10 passed

H.R. 4247: The Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act.
"To prevent and reduce the use of physical restraint and seclusion in schools, and for other purposes".

This bill seeks to define in all U.S. schools minimum standards of appropriate use, reporting and accountability of restraint and seclusion use.

H.R. 4247 was introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives on December 9, 2009 by Representatives George Miller (Dist.7-CA) and Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (Dist.5-WA).

The impetus for the bill's introduction was a May 19, 2009 hearing before the full House Committee on Education and Labor, which received wide national attention. At that hearing, the Governmental Accounting Office (GAO) submitted to the Committee its investigative report,

Seclusions and Restraints: Selected Cases of Death and Abuse at Public and Private Schools and Treatment Centers. GAO-09-719T, May 19, 2009

A similar bill also in the U.S. Congress is the Senate bill, S.2680 (Dodd), "A bill to protect students from inappropriate seclusion and physical restraint, and for other purposes"

The next step for H.R. 4247 is the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

----------------------------
For further reading and reference

H.R. 4247: The Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act.

Seclusions and Restraints: Selected Cases of Death and Abuse at Public and Private Schools and Treatment Centers. GAO-09-719T, May 19, 2009

MYTH VS. FACT: Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in the Schools Act
By Kittredge, Betsy Miller on February 3, 2010 11:05 AM

Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Abuse in Schools Clears House Committee
February 4, 2010 12:30 PM

Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Children from Abuse in Schools
December 9, 2009 12:15 PM

GAO Report Finds Hundreds of Allegations of Abusive and Deadly Uses of Seclusion and Restraint in Schools
May 19, 2009 3:07 PM


© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.