Keep Children Safe in Schools

The Keeping All Students Safe Act, which was introduced by Rep. George Miller and passed March 3, 2010, is bipartisan legislation that would, for the first time, provide federal oversight and accountability to protect students from the use of harmful restraint and seclusion in schools.

Last year, a Government Accountability Office investigation found hundreds of reports of school children being abused, and even dying, as a result of inappropriate uses of seclusion and restraint in classrooms. These abusive practices were used disproportionately on children with disabilities.

In order to protect both students and teachers, this bill establishes minimum safety standards similar to those that are already in place at hospitals and other facilities. It limits physical restraint and locked seclusion, and outlaws mechanical restraints, such as strapping kids to chairs, and prohibits restraints that restrict breathing.

The Keeping All Students Safe Act provides states with resources to help train staff so that they are prepared to deal with any situations that may arise. It also instructs states to produce yearly reports on the number and type of restraints or seclusion used, and requires schools to notify parents after incidents when restraint or seclusion was used.