Student Restraint Bills Unveiled

Under a proposal unveiled Tuesday, schools are encouraged to develop positive behavioral support programs for students with behavioral problems.

This was among recommendations recently from Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley’s special education task force.

The proposal was prompted in part by the case of a student who died following prolonged restraint.

Legislation proposed in Lansing would also prohibit schools from using seclusion or restraint for special education students except for emergencies.

The proposal is applauded by Calley, who admits that it’s generally been the policy for nearly a decade, but is not written into law.

He says it will protect the students, but also not tie hands of school officials who need to ensure that staff must also be able to protect self-abusing students from themselves.

Teri Chapman, director of the Office of Special Education in the Department of Education, believes the legislation can also open the door for more learning time in the classroom.