A renewed push to ban seclusion, reduce restraint in Michigan schools
Summary
Michigan schools still use physical restraint and seclusion on students, many with disabilities, even though a law aims to reduce these actions. State Senator Stephanie Chang plans to introduce a bill this fall to ban seclusion, limit restraint to emergencies, and require schools to train staff and report if restraint is overused.Key Facts
- Physical restraint and seclusion are used thousands of times a year in Michigan schools.
- Most students affected by these practices have disabilities.
- Michigan has had a law for nearly 10 years to reduce restraint and seclusion, but concerns remain about overuse.
- Advocates want clearer rules on when restraint and seclusion are allowed and want seclusion banned for discipline.
- State Senator Stephanie Chang proposes a bill to ban seclusion and restrict restraint to emergency cases only.
- The bill would require schools to create plans to reduce restraint if it is used too much.
- Schools would have to train staff on trauma’s impact on learning.
- Some school officials agree restraint and seclusion should be reduced but may have concerns about the bill.
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