Effective Dates for Seclusion & Restraint Law

Advocacy work doesn't end when the bill gets signed into law. Now it is time to make sure the laws are implemented and followed. In the case of the Seclusion & Restraint Law, a lot of this will fall on parents.

As of the beginning of September, schools have not changed their seclusion and restraint policies. These policies can be found under School Board Policies on your district's website. The law is still in effect and must be followed, regardless of school policy. We encourage parents to check their district's policy and if it is not updated, request that it be updated.

We expect to see two sets of changes. Parts of the law are now in effect. They went into effect on August 28, 2021, regardless of what school policy might still say. The new law does have some provisions that do not go into effect until July 1, 2022. This was done so school districts could have time to prepare.

Effective August 28, 2021

-Any school district’s written policy must be updated to prohibit certain types of restraint techniques

-Any school district’s written policy must be updated to reserve seclusion or restraint only for situations or conditions in which there is imminent danger of physical harm to self or others

-Any school district’s written policy must comply with the new requirements for schools, such as proper training, procedures, reporting, and annual reviews, which are all outlined in the bill

Effective August 28, 2021

What changes will be made to school district policies because of the law?