SENATE APPROVES BILL TO LIMIT RESTRAINING OR SECLUDING STUDENTS
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 -- 8:25 AM
A bill that would limit circumstances in which public school employees can physically restrain or seclude students was approved by the Wisconsin Senate on Tuesday.The legislation, which specifies when seclusion or physical restraint of a student is allowed, has received little opposition since it was introduced in December. The bill says a student must present a clear and immediate danger to themselves or to others to be physically restrained. Any seclusion must be supervised and can last only as long as necessary to resolve risk.
The bill also specifies that only people who have been properly trained should be involved in using any restraint or seclusion tactics, though someone untrained can supervise exclusion in an emergency situation.
It has support from various organizations, including disability rights advocates and school administrators. It would take effect in September 2012. The bill now moves to the Assembly for a vote.
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