California 2017-2018 Regular Session

California Assembly Bill AB2657 Compare Versions

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1-Assembly Bill No. 2657 CHAPTER 998 An act to add Article 5.2 (commencing with Section 49005) to Chapter 6 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, relating to pupil discipline. [ Approved by Governor September 30, 2018. Filed with Secretary of State September 30, 2018. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2657, Weber. Pupil discipline: restraint and seclusion.Existing law prohibits a person employed by or engaged in a public school to inflict, or cause to be inflicted, corporal punishment upon a pupil. This bill would authorize an educational provider, as defined, to use behavioral restraints, which includes physical and mechanical restraints, or seclusion, as defined, only to control behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others that cannot be immediately prevented by a response that is less restrictive, and if other specified conditions are met. The bill would prohibit an educational provider from using a behavioral restraint or seclusion in certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, using seclusion or a behavioral restraint for the purpose of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation, and would prohibit the use of certain restraint and seclusion techniques. The bill would require a local educational agency that meets a specified federal definition to collect and, no later than 3 months after the end of a school year, report to the State Department of Education annually on the use of behavioral restraints and seclusion for pupils enrolled in or served by the local educational agency for all or part of the prior school year, as specified. The bill would require that the data collection and reporting requirements be conducted in compliance with specified federal law, and would prohibit those requirements from being construed to impose a new program or higher level of service on local educational agencies or nonpublic schools or agencies.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Article 5.2 (commencing with Section 49005) is added to Chapter 6 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, to read: Article 5.2. Restraint and Seclusion49005. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) While it is appropriate to intervene in an emergency to prevent a student from imminent risk of serious physical self-harm or harm of others, restraint and seclusion are dangerous interventions, with certain known practices posing a great risk to child health and safety.(b) United States Department of Education guidelines specify that the use of restraint and seclusion must be consistent with the childs right to be treated with dignity and to be free from abuse.(c) Restraint and seclusion should only be used as a safety measure of last resort, and should never be used as punishment or discipline or for staff convenience.(d) Restraint and seclusion may cause serious injury or long lasting trauma and death, even when done safely and correctly.(e) There is no evidence that restraint or seclusion is effective in reducing the problem behaviors that frequently precipitate the use of those techniques.(f) Students with disabilities and students of color, especially African American boys, are disproportionately subject to restraint and seclusion.(g) Well-established California law already regulates restraint techniques in a number of settings, including general acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric health facilities, crisis stabilization units, community treatment facilities, group homes, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, community care facilities, and mental health rehabilitation centers. These minimal protections should be provided to all students in schools.(h) It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that schools foster learning in a safe and healthy environment and provide adequate safeguards to prevent harm, and even death, to children in school.(i) This article is intended to be read to be consistent with, and does not change any requirements, limitations, or protections in, existing law pertaining to students with exceptional needs.(j) It is the intent of the Legislature to prohibit dangerous practices. Restraint and seclusion, as described in this article, do not further a childs education. At the same time, the Legislature recognizes that if an emergency situation arises, the ability of education personnel to act in that emergency to safeguard a student or others from imminent physical harm should not be restricted.49005.1. The following definitions apply to this article:(a) Behavioral restraint means mechanical restraint or physical restraint, as defined in this section, used as an intervention when a pupil presents an immediate danger to self or to others. Behavioral restraint does not include postural restraints or devices used to improve a pupils mobility and independent functioning rather than to restrict movement.(b) Educational provider means a person who provides educational or related services, support, or other assistance to a pupil enrolled in an educational program provided by a local educational agency or a nonpublic school or agency.(c) Local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, charter school, the California Schools for the Deaf, and the California School for the Blind.(d) (1) Mechanical restraint means the use of a device or equipment to restrict a pupils freedom of movement.(2) (A) Mechanical restraint does not include the use of devices by peace officers or security personnel for detention or for public safety purposes.(B) Mechanical restraint does not include the use of devices by trained school personnel, or by a pupil, prescribed by an appropriate medical or related services professional, if the device is used for the specific and approved purpose for which the device or equipment was prescribed, which shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(1) Adaptive devices or mechanical supports used to achieve proper body position, balance, or alignment to allow greater freedom of mobility than would be possible without the use of such devices or mechanical supports.(2) Vehicle safety restraints when used as intended during the transport of a pupil in a moving vehicle.(3) Restraints for medical immobilization.(4) Orthopedically prescribed devices that permit a pupil to participate in activities without risk of harm.(e) Nonpublic school or agency means any nonpublic school or nonpublic agency, including both in-state and out-of-state nonpublic schools and nonpublic agencies.(f) (1) Physical restraint means a personal restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a pupil to move his or her torso, arms, legs, or head freely. Physical restraint does not include a physical escort, which means a temporary touching or holding of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, or back for the purpose of inducing a pupil who is acting out to walk to a safe location.(2) Physical restraint does not include the use of force by peace officers or security personnel for detention or for public safety purposes.(g) Prone restraint means the application of a behavioral restraint on a pupil in a facedown position.(h) Pupil means a pupil enrolled in preschool, kindergarten, or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and receiving educational services from an educational provider.(i) Seclusion means the involuntary confinement of a pupil alone in a room or area from which the pupil is physically prevented from leaving. Seclusion does not include a timeout, which is a behavior management technique that is part of an approved program, that involves the monitored separation of the pupil in a nonlocked setting, and is implemented for the purpose of calming.49005.2. A pupil has the right to be free from the use of seclusion and behavioral restraints of any form imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff. This right includes, but is not limited to, the right to be free from the use of a drug administered to the pupil in order to control the pupils behavior or to restrict the pupils freedom of movement, if that drug is not a standard treatment for the pupils medical or psychiatric condition.49005.4. An educational provider may use seclusion or a behavioral restraint only to control behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others that cannot be immediately prevented by a response that is less restrictive.49005.6. An educational provider shall avoid, whenever possible, the use of seclusion or behavioral restraint techniques.49005.8. (a) An educational provider shall not do any of the following:(1) Use seclusion or a behavioral restraint for the purpose of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation.(2) Use locked seclusion, unless it is in a facility otherwise licensed or permitted by state law to use a locked room.(3) Use a physical restraint technique that obstructs a pupils respiratory airway or impairs the pupils breathing or respiratory capacity, including techniques in which a staff member places pressure on a pupils back or places his or her body weight against the pupils torso or back.(4) Use a behavioral restraint technique that restricts breathing, including, but not limited to, using a pillow, blanket, carpet, mat, or other item to cover a pupils face.(5) Place a pupil in a facedown position with the pupils hands held or restrained behind the pupils back.(6) Use a behavioral restraint for longer than is necessary to contain the behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others.(b) An educational provider shall keep constant, direct observation of a pupil who is in seclusion, which may be through observation of the pupil through a window, or another barrier, through which the educational provider is able to make direct eye contact with the pupil. The observation required pursuant to this subdivision shall not be through indirect means, including through a security camera or a closed-circuit television.(c) An educational provider shall afford to pupils who are restrained the least restrictive alternative and the maximum freedom of movement, and shall use the least number of restraint points, while ensuring the physical safety of the pupil and others. (d) If prone restraint techniques are used, a staff member shall observe the pupil for any signs of physical distress throughout the use of prone restraint. Whenever possible, the staff member monitoring the pupil shall not be involved in restraining the pupil. 49006. (a) A local educational agency that meets the definition of a local educational agency specified in Section 300.28 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations shall collect and, no later than three months after the end of a school year, report to the department annually on the use of behavioral restraints and seclusion for pupils enrolled in or served by the local educational agency for all or part of the prior school year.(b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall include all of the following information, disaggregated by race or ethnicity, and gender:(1) The number of pupils subjected to mechanical restraint, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(2) The number of pupils subjected to physical restraint, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(3) The number of pupils subjected to seclusion, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(4) The number of times mechanical restraint was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times mechanical restraint was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(5) The number of times physical restraint was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times physical restraint was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(6) The number of times seclusion was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times seclusion was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(c) Notwithstanding any other law, the data collected and reported pursuant to this section shall be available as a public record pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code.(d) No later than three months after the report is due to the department pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall post the data from the report annually on its Internet Web site.49006.2. Notwithstanding Section 49006, the data collection and reporting requirements contained in this article shall be conducted in compliance with the requirements of the Civil Rights Data Collection of the United States Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights imposed pursuant to Sections 100.6(b) and 104.61 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and shall not be construed to impose a new program or higher level of service on local educational agencies or nonpublic schools or agencies.49006.4. (a) This article applies with regard to all pupils, including individuals with exceptional needs. For an individual with exceptional needs, if a behavioral restraint or seclusion is used, the procedures for follow-up contained in subdivisions (e), (f), (g) and (h) of Section 56521.1 shall also apply.(b) For purposes of this section, individual with exceptional needs has the same meaning specified in Section 56026.SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because this act implements a federal law or regulation and results in costs mandated by the federal government, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code.
1+Enrolled September 04, 2018 Passed IN Senate August 29, 2018 Passed IN Assembly August 30, 2018 Amended IN Senate August 24, 2018 Amended IN Senate August 17, 2018 Amended IN Senate July 05, 2018 Amended IN Senate June 18, 2018 Amended IN Assembly May 02, 2018 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2657Introduced by Assembly Member WeberFebruary 15, 2018 An act to add Article 5.2 (commencing with Section 49005) to Chapter 6 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, relating to pupil discipline. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2657, Weber. Pupil discipline: restraint and seclusion.Existing law prohibits a person employed by or engaged in a public school to inflict, or cause to be inflicted, corporal punishment upon a pupil. This bill would authorize an educational provider, as defined, to use behavioral restraints, which includes physical and mechanical restraints, or seclusion, as defined, only to control behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others that cannot be immediately prevented by a response that is less restrictive, and if other specified conditions are met. The bill would prohibit an educational provider from using a behavioral restraint or seclusion in certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, using seclusion or a behavioral restraint for the purpose of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation, and would prohibit the use of certain restraint and seclusion techniques. The bill would require a local educational agency that meets a specified federal definition to collect and, no later than 3 months after the end of a school year, report to the State Department of Education annually on the use of behavioral restraints and seclusion for pupils enrolled in or served by the local educational agency for all or part of the prior school year, as specified. The bill would require that the data collection and reporting requirements be conducted in compliance with specified federal law, and would prohibit those requirements from being construed to impose a new program or higher level of service on local educational agencies or nonpublic schools or agencies.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Article 5.2 (commencing with Section 49005) is added to Chapter 6 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, to read: Article 5.2. Restraint and Seclusion49005. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) While it is appropriate to intervene in an emergency to prevent a student from imminent risk of serious physical self-harm or harm of others, restraint and seclusion are dangerous interventions, with certain known practices posing a great risk to child health and safety.(b) United States Department of Education guidelines specify that the use of restraint and seclusion must be consistent with the childs right to be treated with dignity and to be free from abuse.(c) Restraint and seclusion should only be used as a safety measure of last resort, and should never be used as punishment or discipline or for staff convenience.(d) Restraint and seclusion may cause serious injury or long lasting trauma and death, even when done safely and correctly.(e) There is no evidence that restraint or seclusion is effective in reducing the problem behaviors that frequently precipitate the use of those techniques.(f) Students with disabilities and students of color, especially African American boys, are disproportionately subject to restraint and seclusion.(g) Well-established California law already regulates restraint techniques in a number of settings, including general acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric health facilities, crisis stabilization units, community treatment facilities, group homes, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, community care facilities, and mental health rehabilitation centers. These minimal protections should be provided to all students in schools.(h) It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that schools foster learning in a safe and healthy environment and provide adequate safeguards to prevent harm, and even death, to children in school.(i) This article is intended to be read to be consistent with, and does not change any requirements, limitations, or protections in, existing law pertaining to students with exceptional needs.(j) It is the intent of the Legislature to prohibit dangerous practices. Restraint and seclusion, as described in this article, do not further a childs education. At the same time, the Legislature recognizes that if an emergency situation arises, the ability of education personnel to act in that emergency to safeguard a student or others from imminent physical harm should not be restricted.49005.1. The following definitions apply to this article:(a) Behavioral restraint means mechanical restraint or physical restraint, as defined in this section, used as an intervention when a pupil presents an immediate danger to self or to others. Behavioral restraint does not include postural restraints or devices used to improve a pupils mobility and independent functioning rather than to restrict movement.(b) Educational provider means a person who provides educational or related services, support, or other assistance to a pupil enrolled in an educational program provided by a local educational agency or a nonpublic school or agency.(c) Local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, charter school, the California Schools for the Deaf, and the California School for the Blind.(d) (1) Mechanical restraint means the use of a device or equipment to restrict a pupils freedom of movement.(2) (A) Mechanical restraint does not include the use of devices by peace officers or security personnel for detention or for public safety purposes.(B) Mechanical restraint does not include the use of devices by trained school personnel, or by a pupil, prescribed by an appropriate medical or related services professional, if the device is used for the specific and approved purpose for which the device or equipment was prescribed, which shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(1) Adaptive devices or mechanical supports used to achieve proper body position, balance, or alignment to allow greater freedom of mobility than would be possible without the use of such devices or mechanical supports.(2) Vehicle safety restraints when used as intended during the transport of a pupil in a moving vehicle.(3) Restraints for medical immobilization.(4) Orthopedically prescribed devices that permit a pupil to participate in activities without risk of harm.(e) Nonpublic school or agency means any nonpublic school or nonpublic agency, including both in-state and out-of-state nonpublic schools and nonpublic agencies.(f) (1) Physical restraint means a personal restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a pupil to move his or her torso, arms, legs, or head freely. Physical restraint does not include a physical escort, which means a temporary touching or holding of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, or back for the purpose of inducing a pupil who is acting out to walk to a safe location.(2) Physical restraint does not include the use of force by peace officers or security personnel for detention or for public safety purposes.(g) Prone restraint means the application of a behavioral restraint on a pupil in a facedown position.(h) Pupil means a pupil enrolled in preschool, kindergarten, or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and receiving educational services from an educational provider.(i) Seclusion means the involuntary confinement of a pupil alone in a room or area from which the pupil is physically prevented from leaving. Seclusion does not include a timeout, which is a behavior management technique that is part of an approved program, that involves the monitored separation of the pupil in a nonlocked setting, and is implemented for the purpose of calming.49005.2. A pupil has the right to be free from the use of seclusion and behavioral restraints of any form imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff. This right includes, but is not limited to, the right to be free from the use of a drug administered to the pupil in order to control the pupils behavior or to restrict the pupils freedom of movement, if that drug is not a standard treatment for the pupils medical or psychiatric condition.49005.4. An educational provider may use seclusion or a behavioral restraint only to control behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others that cannot be immediately prevented by a response that is less restrictive.49005.6. An educational provider shall avoid, whenever possible, the use of seclusion or behavioral restraint techniques.49005.8. (a) An educational provider shall not do any of the following:(1) Use seclusion or a behavioral restraint for the purpose of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation.(2) Use locked seclusion, unless it is in a facility otherwise licensed or permitted by state law to use a locked room.(3) Use a physical restraint technique that obstructs a pupils respiratory airway or impairs the pupils breathing or respiratory capacity, including techniques in which a staff member places pressure on a pupils back or places his or her body weight against the pupils torso or back.(4) Use a behavioral restraint technique that restricts breathing, including, but not limited to, using a pillow, blanket, carpet, mat, or other item to cover a pupils face.(5) Place a pupil in a facedown position with the pupils hands held or restrained behind the pupils back.(6) Use a behavioral restraint for longer than is necessary to contain the behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others.(b) An educational provider shall keep constant, direct observation of a pupil who is in seclusion, which may be through observation of the pupil through a window, or another barrier, through which the educational provider is able to make direct eye contact with the pupil. The observation required pursuant to this subdivision shall not be through indirect means, including through a security camera or a closed-circuit television.(c) An educational provider shall afford to pupils who are restrained the least restrictive alternative and the maximum freedom of movement, and shall use the least number of restraint points, while ensuring the physical safety of the pupil and others. (d) If prone restraint techniques are used, a staff member shall observe the pupil for any signs of physical distress throughout the use of prone restraint. Whenever possible, the staff member monitoring the pupil shall not be involved in restraining the pupil. 49006. (a) A local educational agency that meets the definition of a local educational agency specified in Section 300.28 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations shall collect and, no later than three months after the end of a school year, report to the department annually on the use of behavioral restraints and seclusion for pupils enrolled in or served by the local educational agency for all or part of the prior school year.(b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall include all of the following information, disaggregated by race or ethnicity, and gender:(1) The number of pupils subjected to mechanical restraint, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(2) The number of pupils subjected to physical restraint, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(3) The number of pupils subjected to seclusion, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(4) The number of times mechanical restraint was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times mechanical restraint was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(5) The number of times physical restraint was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times physical restraint was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(6) The number of times seclusion was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times seclusion was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(c) Notwithstanding any other law, the data collected and reported pursuant to this section shall be available as a public record pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code.(d) No later than three months after the report is due to the department pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall post the data from the report annually on its Internet Web site.49006.2. Notwithstanding Section 49006, the data collection and reporting requirements contained in this article shall be conducted in compliance with the requirements of the Civil Rights Data Collection of the United States Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights imposed pursuant to Sections 100.6(b) and 104.61 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and shall not be construed to impose a new program or higher level of service on local educational agencies or nonpublic schools or agencies.49006.4. (a) This article applies with regard to all pupils, including individuals with exceptional needs. For an individual with exceptional needs, if a behavioral restraint or seclusion is used, the procedures for follow-up contained in subdivisions (e), (f), (g) and (h) of Section 56521.1 shall also apply.(b) For purposes of this section, individual with exceptional needs has the same meaning specified in Section 56026.SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because this act implements a federal law or regulation and results in costs mandated by the federal government, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code.
22
3- Assembly Bill No. 2657 CHAPTER 998 An act to add Article 5.2 (commencing with Section 49005) to Chapter 6 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, relating to pupil discipline. [ Approved by Governor September 30, 2018. Filed with Secretary of State September 30, 2018. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2657, Weber. Pupil discipline: restraint and seclusion.Existing law prohibits a person employed by or engaged in a public school to inflict, or cause to be inflicted, corporal punishment upon a pupil. This bill would authorize an educational provider, as defined, to use behavioral restraints, which includes physical and mechanical restraints, or seclusion, as defined, only to control behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others that cannot be immediately prevented by a response that is less restrictive, and if other specified conditions are met. The bill would prohibit an educational provider from using a behavioral restraint or seclusion in certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, using seclusion or a behavioral restraint for the purpose of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation, and would prohibit the use of certain restraint and seclusion techniques. The bill would require a local educational agency that meets a specified federal definition to collect and, no later than 3 months after the end of a school year, report to the State Department of Education annually on the use of behavioral restraints and seclusion for pupils enrolled in or served by the local educational agency for all or part of the prior school year, as specified. The bill would require that the data collection and reporting requirements be conducted in compliance with specified federal law, and would prohibit those requirements from being construed to impose a new program or higher level of service on local educational agencies or nonpublic schools or agencies.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
3+ Enrolled September 04, 2018 Passed IN Senate August 29, 2018 Passed IN Assembly August 30, 2018 Amended IN Senate August 24, 2018 Amended IN Senate August 17, 2018 Amended IN Senate July 05, 2018 Amended IN Senate June 18, 2018 Amended IN Assembly May 02, 2018 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 2657Introduced by Assembly Member WeberFebruary 15, 2018 An act to add Article 5.2 (commencing with Section 49005) to Chapter 6 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, relating to pupil discipline. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 2657, Weber. Pupil discipline: restraint and seclusion.Existing law prohibits a person employed by or engaged in a public school to inflict, or cause to be inflicted, corporal punishment upon a pupil. This bill would authorize an educational provider, as defined, to use behavioral restraints, which includes physical and mechanical restraints, or seclusion, as defined, only to control behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others that cannot be immediately prevented by a response that is less restrictive, and if other specified conditions are met. The bill would prohibit an educational provider from using a behavioral restraint or seclusion in certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, using seclusion or a behavioral restraint for the purpose of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation, and would prohibit the use of certain restraint and seclusion techniques. The bill would require a local educational agency that meets a specified federal definition to collect and, no later than 3 months after the end of a school year, report to the State Department of Education annually on the use of behavioral restraints and seclusion for pupils enrolled in or served by the local educational agency for all or part of the prior school year, as specified. The bill would require that the data collection and reporting requirements be conducted in compliance with specified federal law, and would prohibit those requirements from being construed to impose a new program or higher level of service on local educational agencies or nonpublic schools or agencies.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
4+
5+ Enrolled September 04, 2018 Passed IN Senate August 29, 2018 Passed IN Assembly August 30, 2018 Amended IN Senate August 24, 2018 Amended IN Senate August 17, 2018 Amended IN Senate July 05, 2018 Amended IN Senate June 18, 2018 Amended IN Assembly May 02, 2018
6+
7+Enrolled September 04, 2018
8+Passed IN Senate August 29, 2018
9+Passed IN Assembly August 30, 2018
10+Amended IN Senate August 24, 2018
11+Amended IN Senate August 17, 2018
12+Amended IN Senate July 05, 2018
13+Amended IN Senate June 18, 2018
14+Amended IN Assembly May 02, 2018
15+
16+ CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION
417
518 Assembly Bill No. 2657
6-CHAPTER 998
19+
20+Introduced by Assembly Member WeberFebruary 15, 2018
21+
22+Introduced by Assembly Member Weber
23+February 15, 2018
724
825 An act to add Article 5.2 (commencing with Section 49005) to Chapter 6 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, relating to pupil discipline.
9-
10- [ Approved by Governor September 30, 2018. Filed with Secretary of State September 30, 2018. ]
1126
1227 LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
1328
1429 ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
1530
1631 AB 2657, Weber. Pupil discipline: restraint and seclusion.
1732
1833 Existing law prohibits a person employed by or engaged in a public school to inflict, or cause to be inflicted, corporal punishment upon a pupil. This bill would authorize an educational provider, as defined, to use behavioral restraints, which includes physical and mechanical restraints, or seclusion, as defined, only to control behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others that cannot be immediately prevented by a response that is less restrictive, and if other specified conditions are met. The bill would prohibit an educational provider from using a behavioral restraint or seclusion in certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, using seclusion or a behavioral restraint for the purpose of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation, and would prohibit the use of certain restraint and seclusion techniques. The bill would require a local educational agency that meets a specified federal definition to collect and, no later than 3 months after the end of a school year, report to the State Department of Education annually on the use of behavioral restraints and seclusion for pupils enrolled in or served by the local educational agency for all or part of the prior school year, as specified. The bill would require that the data collection and reporting requirements be conducted in compliance with specified federal law, and would prohibit those requirements from being construed to impose a new program or higher level of service on local educational agencies or nonpublic schools or agencies.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
1934
2035 Existing law prohibits a person employed by or engaged in a public school to inflict, or cause to be inflicted, corporal punishment upon a pupil.
2136
2237 This bill would authorize an educational provider, as defined, to use behavioral restraints, which includes physical and mechanical restraints, or seclusion, as defined, only to control behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others that cannot be immediately prevented by a response that is less restrictive, and if other specified conditions are met. The bill would prohibit an educational provider from using a behavioral restraint or seclusion in certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, using seclusion or a behavioral restraint for the purpose of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation, and would prohibit the use of certain restraint and seclusion techniques. The bill would require a local educational agency that meets a specified federal definition to collect and, no later than 3 months after the end of a school year, report to the State Department of Education annually on the use of behavioral restraints and seclusion for pupils enrolled in or served by the local educational agency for all or part of the prior school year, as specified. The bill would require that the data collection and reporting requirements be conducted in compliance with specified federal law, and would prohibit those requirements from being construed to impose a new program or higher level of service on local educational agencies or nonpublic schools or agencies.
2338
2439 The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
2540
2641 This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
2742
2843 ## Digest Key
2944
3045 ## Bill Text
3146
3247 The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Article 5.2 (commencing with Section 49005) is added to Chapter 6 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, to read: Article 5.2. Restraint and Seclusion49005. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) While it is appropriate to intervene in an emergency to prevent a student from imminent risk of serious physical self-harm or harm of others, restraint and seclusion are dangerous interventions, with certain known practices posing a great risk to child health and safety.(b) United States Department of Education guidelines specify that the use of restraint and seclusion must be consistent with the childs right to be treated with dignity and to be free from abuse.(c) Restraint and seclusion should only be used as a safety measure of last resort, and should never be used as punishment or discipline or for staff convenience.(d) Restraint and seclusion may cause serious injury or long lasting trauma and death, even when done safely and correctly.(e) There is no evidence that restraint or seclusion is effective in reducing the problem behaviors that frequently precipitate the use of those techniques.(f) Students with disabilities and students of color, especially African American boys, are disproportionately subject to restraint and seclusion.(g) Well-established California law already regulates restraint techniques in a number of settings, including general acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric health facilities, crisis stabilization units, community treatment facilities, group homes, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, community care facilities, and mental health rehabilitation centers. These minimal protections should be provided to all students in schools.(h) It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that schools foster learning in a safe and healthy environment and provide adequate safeguards to prevent harm, and even death, to children in school.(i) This article is intended to be read to be consistent with, and does not change any requirements, limitations, or protections in, existing law pertaining to students with exceptional needs.(j) It is the intent of the Legislature to prohibit dangerous practices. Restraint and seclusion, as described in this article, do not further a childs education. At the same time, the Legislature recognizes that if an emergency situation arises, the ability of education personnel to act in that emergency to safeguard a student or others from imminent physical harm should not be restricted.49005.1. The following definitions apply to this article:(a) Behavioral restraint means mechanical restraint or physical restraint, as defined in this section, used as an intervention when a pupil presents an immediate danger to self or to others. Behavioral restraint does not include postural restraints or devices used to improve a pupils mobility and independent functioning rather than to restrict movement.(b) Educational provider means a person who provides educational or related services, support, or other assistance to a pupil enrolled in an educational program provided by a local educational agency or a nonpublic school or agency.(c) Local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, charter school, the California Schools for the Deaf, and the California School for the Blind.(d) (1) Mechanical restraint means the use of a device or equipment to restrict a pupils freedom of movement.(2) (A) Mechanical restraint does not include the use of devices by peace officers or security personnel for detention or for public safety purposes.(B) Mechanical restraint does not include the use of devices by trained school personnel, or by a pupil, prescribed by an appropriate medical or related services professional, if the device is used for the specific and approved purpose for which the device or equipment was prescribed, which shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(1) Adaptive devices or mechanical supports used to achieve proper body position, balance, or alignment to allow greater freedom of mobility than would be possible without the use of such devices or mechanical supports.(2) Vehicle safety restraints when used as intended during the transport of a pupil in a moving vehicle.(3) Restraints for medical immobilization.(4) Orthopedically prescribed devices that permit a pupil to participate in activities without risk of harm.(e) Nonpublic school or agency means any nonpublic school or nonpublic agency, including both in-state and out-of-state nonpublic schools and nonpublic agencies.(f) (1) Physical restraint means a personal restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a pupil to move his or her torso, arms, legs, or head freely. Physical restraint does not include a physical escort, which means a temporary touching or holding of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, or back for the purpose of inducing a pupil who is acting out to walk to a safe location.(2) Physical restraint does not include the use of force by peace officers or security personnel for detention or for public safety purposes.(g) Prone restraint means the application of a behavioral restraint on a pupil in a facedown position.(h) Pupil means a pupil enrolled in preschool, kindergarten, or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and receiving educational services from an educational provider.(i) Seclusion means the involuntary confinement of a pupil alone in a room or area from which the pupil is physically prevented from leaving. Seclusion does not include a timeout, which is a behavior management technique that is part of an approved program, that involves the monitored separation of the pupil in a nonlocked setting, and is implemented for the purpose of calming.49005.2. A pupil has the right to be free from the use of seclusion and behavioral restraints of any form imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff. This right includes, but is not limited to, the right to be free from the use of a drug administered to the pupil in order to control the pupils behavior or to restrict the pupils freedom of movement, if that drug is not a standard treatment for the pupils medical or psychiatric condition.49005.4. An educational provider may use seclusion or a behavioral restraint only to control behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others that cannot be immediately prevented by a response that is less restrictive.49005.6. An educational provider shall avoid, whenever possible, the use of seclusion or behavioral restraint techniques.49005.8. (a) An educational provider shall not do any of the following:(1) Use seclusion or a behavioral restraint for the purpose of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation.(2) Use locked seclusion, unless it is in a facility otherwise licensed or permitted by state law to use a locked room.(3) Use a physical restraint technique that obstructs a pupils respiratory airway or impairs the pupils breathing or respiratory capacity, including techniques in which a staff member places pressure on a pupils back or places his or her body weight against the pupils torso or back.(4) Use a behavioral restraint technique that restricts breathing, including, but not limited to, using a pillow, blanket, carpet, mat, or other item to cover a pupils face.(5) Place a pupil in a facedown position with the pupils hands held or restrained behind the pupils back.(6) Use a behavioral restraint for longer than is necessary to contain the behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others.(b) An educational provider shall keep constant, direct observation of a pupil who is in seclusion, which may be through observation of the pupil through a window, or another barrier, through which the educational provider is able to make direct eye contact with the pupil. The observation required pursuant to this subdivision shall not be through indirect means, including through a security camera or a closed-circuit television.(c) An educational provider shall afford to pupils who are restrained the least restrictive alternative and the maximum freedom of movement, and shall use the least number of restraint points, while ensuring the physical safety of the pupil and others. (d) If prone restraint techniques are used, a staff member shall observe the pupil for any signs of physical distress throughout the use of prone restraint. Whenever possible, the staff member monitoring the pupil shall not be involved in restraining the pupil. 49006. (a) A local educational agency that meets the definition of a local educational agency specified in Section 300.28 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations shall collect and, no later than three months after the end of a school year, report to the department annually on the use of behavioral restraints and seclusion for pupils enrolled in or served by the local educational agency for all or part of the prior school year.(b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall include all of the following information, disaggregated by race or ethnicity, and gender:(1) The number of pupils subjected to mechanical restraint, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(2) The number of pupils subjected to physical restraint, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(3) The number of pupils subjected to seclusion, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(4) The number of times mechanical restraint was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times mechanical restraint was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(5) The number of times physical restraint was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times physical restraint was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(6) The number of times seclusion was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times seclusion was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(c) Notwithstanding any other law, the data collected and reported pursuant to this section shall be available as a public record pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code.(d) No later than three months after the report is due to the department pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall post the data from the report annually on its Internet Web site.49006.2. Notwithstanding Section 49006, the data collection and reporting requirements contained in this article shall be conducted in compliance with the requirements of the Civil Rights Data Collection of the United States Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights imposed pursuant to Sections 100.6(b) and 104.61 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and shall not be construed to impose a new program or higher level of service on local educational agencies or nonpublic schools or agencies.49006.4. (a) This article applies with regard to all pupils, including individuals with exceptional needs. For an individual with exceptional needs, if a behavioral restraint or seclusion is used, the procedures for follow-up contained in subdivisions (e), (f), (g) and (h) of Section 56521.1 shall also apply.(b) For purposes of this section, individual with exceptional needs has the same meaning specified in Section 56026.SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because this act implements a federal law or regulation and results in costs mandated by the federal government, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code.
3348
3449 The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
3550
3651 ## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
3752
3853 SECTION 1. Article 5.2 (commencing with Section 49005) is added to Chapter 6 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, to read: Article 5.2. Restraint and Seclusion49005. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) While it is appropriate to intervene in an emergency to prevent a student from imminent risk of serious physical self-harm or harm of others, restraint and seclusion are dangerous interventions, with certain known practices posing a great risk to child health and safety.(b) United States Department of Education guidelines specify that the use of restraint and seclusion must be consistent with the childs right to be treated with dignity and to be free from abuse.(c) Restraint and seclusion should only be used as a safety measure of last resort, and should never be used as punishment or discipline or for staff convenience.(d) Restraint and seclusion may cause serious injury or long lasting trauma and death, even when done safely and correctly.(e) There is no evidence that restraint or seclusion is effective in reducing the problem behaviors that frequently precipitate the use of those techniques.(f) Students with disabilities and students of color, especially African American boys, are disproportionately subject to restraint and seclusion.(g) Well-established California law already regulates restraint techniques in a number of settings, including general acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric health facilities, crisis stabilization units, community treatment facilities, group homes, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, community care facilities, and mental health rehabilitation centers. These minimal protections should be provided to all students in schools.(h) It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that schools foster learning in a safe and healthy environment and provide adequate safeguards to prevent harm, and even death, to children in school.(i) This article is intended to be read to be consistent with, and does not change any requirements, limitations, or protections in, existing law pertaining to students with exceptional needs.(j) It is the intent of the Legislature to prohibit dangerous practices. Restraint and seclusion, as described in this article, do not further a childs education. At the same time, the Legislature recognizes that if an emergency situation arises, the ability of education personnel to act in that emergency to safeguard a student or others from imminent physical harm should not be restricted.49005.1. The following definitions apply to this article:(a) Behavioral restraint means mechanical restraint or physical restraint, as defined in this section, used as an intervention when a pupil presents an immediate danger to self or to others. Behavioral restraint does not include postural restraints or devices used to improve a pupils mobility and independent functioning rather than to restrict movement.(b) Educational provider means a person who provides educational or related services, support, or other assistance to a pupil enrolled in an educational program provided by a local educational agency or a nonpublic school or agency.(c) Local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, charter school, the California Schools for the Deaf, and the California School for the Blind.(d) (1) Mechanical restraint means the use of a device or equipment to restrict a pupils freedom of movement.(2) (A) Mechanical restraint does not include the use of devices by peace officers or security personnel for detention or for public safety purposes.(B) Mechanical restraint does not include the use of devices by trained school personnel, or by a pupil, prescribed by an appropriate medical or related services professional, if the device is used for the specific and approved purpose for which the device or equipment was prescribed, which shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(1) Adaptive devices or mechanical supports used to achieve proper body position, balance, or alignment to allow greater freedom of mobility than would be possible without the use of such devices or mechanical supports.(2) Vehicle safety restraints when used as intended during the transport of a pupil in a moving vehicle.(3) Restraints for medical immobilization.(4) Orthopedically prescribed devices that permit a pupil to participate in activities without risk of harm.(e) Nonpublic school or agency means any nonpublic school or nonpublic agency, including both in-state and out-of-state nonpublic schools and nonpublic agencies.(f) (1) Physical restraint means a personal restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a pupil to move his or her torso, arms, legs, or head freely. Physical restraint does not include a physical escort, which means a temporary touching or holding of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, or back for the purpose of inducing a pupil who is acting out to walk to a safe location.(2) Physical restraint does not include the use of force by peace officers or security personnel for detention or for public safety purposes.(g) Prone restraint means the application of a behavioral restraint on a pupil in a facedown position.(h) Pupil means a pupil enrolled in preschool, kindergarten, or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and receiving educational services from an educational provider.(i) Seclusion means the involuntary confinement of a pupil alone in a room or area from which the pupil is physically prevented from leaving. Seclusion does not include a timeout, which is a behavior management technique that is part of an approved program, that involves the monitored separation of the pupil in a nonlocked setting, and is implemented for the purpose of calming.49005.2. A pupil has the right to be free from the use of seclusion and behavioral restraints of any form imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff. This right includes, but is not limited to, the right to be free from the use of a drug administered to the pupil in order to control the pupils behavior or to restrict the pupils freedom of movement, if that drug is not a standard treatment for the pupils medical or psychiatric condition.49005.4. An educational provider may use seclusion or a behavioral restraint only to control behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others that cannot be immediately prevented by a response that is less restrictive.49005.6. An educational provider shall avoid, whenever possible, the use of seclusion or behavioral restraint techniques.49005.8. (a) An educational provider shall not do any of the following:(1) Use seclusion or a behavioral restraint for the purpose of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation.(2) Use locked seclusion, unless it is in a facility otherwise licensed or permitted by state law to use a locked room.(3) Use a physical restraint technique that obstructs a pupils respiratory airway or impairs the pupils breathing or respiratory capacity, including techniques in which a staff member places pressure on a pupils back or places his or her body weight against the pupils torso or back.(4) Use a behavioral restraint technique that restricts breathing, including, but not limited to, using a pillow, blanket, carpet, mat, or other item to cover a pupils face.(5) Place a pupil in a facedown position with the pupils hands held or restrained behind the pupils back.(6) Use a behavioral restraint for longer than is necessary to contain the behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others.(b) An educational provider shall keep constant, direct observation of a pupil who is in seclusion, which may be through observation of the pupil through a window, or another barrier, through which the educational provider is able to make direct eye contact with the pupil. The observation required pursuant to this subdivision shall not be through indirect means, including through a security camera or a closed-circuit television.(c) An educational provider shall afford to pupils who are restrained the least restrictive alternative and the maximum freedom of movement, and shall use the least number of restraint points, while ensuring the physical safety of the pupil and others. (d) If prone restraint techniques are used, a staff member shall observe the pupil for any signs of physical distress throughout the use of prone restraint. Whenever possible, the staff member monitoring the pupil shall not be involved in restraining the pupil. 49006. (a) A local educational agency that meets the definition of a local educational agency specified in Section 300.28 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations shall collect and, no later than three months after the end of a school year, report to the department annually on the use of behavioral restraints and seclusion for pupils enrolled in or served by the local educational agency for all or part of the prior school year.(b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall include all of the following information, disaggregated by race or ethnicity, and gender:(1) The number of pupils subjected to mechanical restraint, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(2) The number of pupils subjected to physical restraint, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(3) The number of pupils subjected to seclusion, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(4) The number of times mechanical restraint was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times mechanical restraint was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(5) The number of times physical restraint was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times physical restraint was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(6) The number of times seclusion was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times seclusion was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(c) Notwithstanding any other law, the data collected and reported pursuant to this section shall be available as a public record pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code.(d) No later than three months after the report is due to the department pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall post the data from the report annually on its Internet Web site.49006.2. Notwithstanding Section 49006, the data collection and reporting requirements contained in this article shall be conducted in compliance with the requirements of the Civil Rights Data Collection of the United States Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights imposed pursuant to Sections 100.6(b) and 104.61 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and shall not be construed to impose a new program or higher level of service on local educational agencies or nonpublic schools or agencies.49006.4. (a) This article applies with regard to all pupils, including individuals with exceptional needs. For an individual with exceptional needs, if a behavioral restraint or seclusion is used, the procedures for follow-up contained in subdivisions (e), (f), (g) and (h) of Section 56521.1 shall also apply.(b) For purposes of this section, individual with exceptional needs has the same meaning specified in Section 56026.
3954
4055 SECTION 1. Article 5.2 (commencing with Section 49005) is added to Chapter 6 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, to read:
4156
4257 ### SECTION 1.
4358
4459 Article 5.2. Restraint and Seclusion49005. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) While it is appropriate to intervene in an emergency to prevent a student from imminent risk of serious physical self-harm or harm of others, restraint and seclusion are dangerous interventions, with certain known practices posing a great risk to child health and safety.(b) United States Department of Education guidelines specify that the use of restraint and seclusion must be consistent with the childs right to be treated with dignity and to be free from abuse.(c) Restraint and seclusion should only be used as a safety measure of last resort, and should never be used as punishment or discipline or for staff convenience.(d) Restraint and seclusion may cause serious injury or long lasting trauma and death, even when done safely and correctly.(e) There is no evidence that restraint or seclusion is effective in reducing the problem behaviors that frequently precipitate the use of those techniques.(f) Students with disabilities and students of color, especially African American boys, are disproportionately subject to restraint and seclusion.(g) Well-established California law already regulates restraint techniques in a number of settings, including general acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric health facilities, crisis stabilization units, community treatment facilities, group homes, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, community care facilities, and mental health rehabilitation centers. These minimal protections should be provided to all students in schools.(h) It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that schools foster learning in a safe and healthy environment and provide adequate safeguards to prevent harm, and even death, to children in school.(i) This article is intended to be read to be consistent with, and does not change any requirements, limitations, or protections in, existing law pertaining to students with exceptional needs.(j) It is the intent of the Legislature to prohibit dangerous practices. Restraint and seclusion, as described in this article, do not further a childs education. At the same time, the Legislature recognizes that if an emergency situation arises, the ability of education personnel to act in that emergency to safeguard a student or others from imminent physical harm should not be restricted.49005.1. The following definitions apply to this article:(a) Behavioral restraint means mechanical restraint or physical restraint, as defined in this section, used as an intervention when a pupil presents an immediate danger to self or to others. Behavioral restraint does not include postural restraints or devices used to improve a pupils mobility and independent functioning rather than to restrict movement.(b) Educational provider means a person who provides educational or related services, support, or other assistance to a pupil enrolled in an educational program provided by a local educational agency or a nonpublic school or agency.(c) Local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, charter school, the California Schools for the Deaf, and the California School for the Blind.(d) (1) Mechanical restraint means the use of a device or equipment to restrict a pupils freedom of movement.(2) (A) Mechanical restraint does not include the use of devices by peace officers or security personnel for detention or for public safety purposes.(B) Mechanical restraint does not include the use of devices by trained school personnel, or by a pupil, prescribed by an appropriate medical or related services professional, if the device is used for the specific and approved purpose for which the device or equipment was prescribed, which shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(1) Adaptive devices or mechanical supports used to achieve proper body position, balance, or alignment to allow greater freedom of mobility than would be possible without the use of such devices or mechanical supports.(2) Vehicle safety restraints when used as intended during the transport of a pupil in a moving vehicle.(3) Restraints for medical immobilization.(4) Orthopedically prescribed devices that permit a pupil to participate in activities without risk of harm.(e) Nonpublic school or agency means any nonpublic school or nonpublic agency, including both in-state and out-of-state nonpublic schools and nonpublic agencies.(f) (1) Physical restraint means a personal restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a pupil to move his or her torso, arms, legs, or head freely. Physical restraint does not include a physical escort, which means a temporary touching or holding of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, or back for the purpose of inducing a pupil who is acting out to walk to a safe location.(2) Physical restraint does not include the use of force by peace officers or security personnel for detention or for public safety purposes.(g) Prone restraint means the application of a behavioral restraint on a pupil in a facedown position.(h) Pupil means a pupil enrolled in preschool, kindergarten, or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and receiving educational services from an educational provider.(i) Seclusion means the involuntary confinement of a pupil alone in a room or area from which the pupil is physically prevented from leaving. Seclusion does not include a timeout, which is a behavior management technique that is part of an approved program, that involves the monitored separation of the pupil in a nonlocked setting, and is implemented for the purpose of calming.49005.2. A pupil has the right to be free from the use of seclusion and behavioral restraints of any form imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff. This right includes, but is not limited to, the right to be free from the use of a drug administered to the pupil in order to control the pupils behavior or to restrict the pupils freedom of movement, if that drug is not a standard treatment for the pupils medical or psychiatric condition.49005.4. An educational provider may use seclusion or a behavioral restraint only to control behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others that cannot be immediately prevented by a response that is less restrictive.49005.6. An educational provider shall avoid, whenever possible, the use of seclusion or behavioral restraint techniques.49005.8. (a) An educational provider shall not do any of the following:(1) Use seclusion or a behavioral restraint for the purpose of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation.(2) Use locked seclusion, unless it is in a facility otherwise licensed or permitted by state law to use a locked room.(3) Use a physical restraint technique that obstructs a pupils respiratory airway or impairs the pupils breathing or respiratory capacity, including techniques in which a staff member places pressure on a pupils back or places his or her body weight against the pupils torso or back.(4) Use a behavioral restraint technique that restricts breathing, including, but not limited to, using a pillow, blanket, carpet, mat, or other item to cover a pupils face.(5) Place a pupil in a facedown position with the pupils hands held or restrained behind the pupils back.(6) Use a behavioral restraint for longer than is necessary to contain the behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others.(b) An educational provider shall keep constant, direct observation of a pupil who is in seclusion, which may be through observation of the pupil through a window, or another barrier, through which the educational provider is able to make direct eye contact with the pupil. The observation required pursuant to this subdivision shall not be through indirect means, including through a security camera or a closed-circuit television.(c) An educational provider shall afford to pupils who are restrained the least restrictive alternative and the maximum freedom of movement, and shall use the least number of restraint points, while ensuring the physical safety of the pupil and others. (d) If prone restraint techniques are used, a staff member shall observe the pupil for any signs of physical distress throughout the use of prone restraint. Whenever possible, the staff member monitoring the pupil shall not be involved in restraining the pupil. 49006. (a) A local educational agency that meets the definition of a local educational agency specified in Section 300.28 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations shall collect and, no later than three months after the end of a school year, report to the department annually on the use of behavioral restraints and seclusion for pupils enrolled in or served by the local educational agency for all or part of the prior school year.(b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall include all of the following information, disaggregated by race or ethnicity, and gender:(1) The number of pupils subjected to mechanical restraint, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(2) The number of pupils subjected to physical restraint, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(3) The number of pupils subjected to seclusion, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(4) The number of times mechanical restraint was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times mechanical restraint was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(5) The number of times physical restraint was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times physical restraint was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(6) The number of times seclusion was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times seclusion was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(c) Notwithstanding any other law, the data collected and reported pursuant to this section shall be available as a public record pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code.(d) No later than three months after the report is due to the department pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall post the data from the report annually on its Internet Web site.49006.2. Notwithstanding Section 49006, the data collection and reporting requirements contained in this article shall be conducted in compliance with the requirements of the Civil Rights Data Collection of the United States Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights imposed pursuant to Sections 100.6(b) and 104.61 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and shall not be construed to impose a new program or higher level of service on local educational agencies or nonpublic schools or agencies.49006.4. (a) This article applies with regard to all pupils, including individuals with exceptional needs. For an individual with exceptional needs, if a behavioral restraint or seclusion is used, the procedures for follow-up contained in subdivisions (e), (f), (g) and (h) of Section 56521.1 shall also apply.(b) For purposes of this section, individual with exceptional needs has the same meaning specified in Section 56026.
4560
4661 Article 5.2. Restraint and Seclusion49005. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) While it is appropriate to intervene in an emergency to prevent a student from imminent risk of serious physical self-harm or harm of others, restraint and seclusion are dangerous interventions, with certain known practices posing a great risk to child health and safety.(b) United States Department of Education guidelines specify that the use of restraint and seclusion must be consistent with the childs right to be treated with dignity and to be free from abuse.(c) Restraint and seclusion should only be used as a safety measure of last resort, and should never be used as punishment or discipline or for staff convenience.(d) Restraint and seclusion may cause serious injury or long lasting trauma and death, even when done safely and correctly.(e) There is no evidence that restraint or seclusion is effective in reducing the problem behaviors that frequently precipitate the use of those techniques.(f) Students with disabilities and students of color, especially African American boys, are disproportionately subject to restraint and seclusion.(g) Well-established California law already regulates restraint techniques in a number of settings, including general acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric health facilities, crisis stabilization units, community treatment facilities, group homes, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, community care facilities, and mental health rehabilitation centers. These minimal protections should be provided to all students in schools.(h) It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that schools foster learning in a safe and healthy environment and provide adequate safeguards to prevent harm, and even death, to children in school.(i) This article is intended to be read to be consistent with, and does not change any requirements, limitations, or protections in, existing law pertaining to students with exceptional needs.(j) It is the intent of the Legislature to prohibit dangerous practices. Restraint and seclusion, as described in this article, do not further a childs education. At the same time, the Legislature recognizes that if an emergency situation arises, the ability of education personnel to act in that emergency to safeguard a student or others from imminent physical harm should not be restricted.49005.1. The following definitions apply to this article:(a) Behavioral restraint means mechanical restraint or physical restraint, as defined in this section, used as an intervention when a pupil presents an immediate danger to self or to others. Behavioral restraint does not include postural restraints or devices used to improve a pupils mobility and independent functioning rather than to restrict movement.(b) Educational provider means a person who provides educational or related services, support, or other assistance to a pupil enrolled in an educational program provided by a local educational agency or a nonpublic school or agency.(c) Local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, charter school, the California Schools for the Deaf, and the California School for the Blind.(d) (1) Mechanical restraint means the use of a device or equipment to restrict a pupils freedom of movement.(2) (A) Mechanical restraint does not include the use of devices by peace officers or security personnel for detention or for public safety purposes.(B) Mechanical restraint does not include the use of devices by trained school personnel, or by a pupil, prescribed by an appropriate medical or related services professional, if the device is used for the specific and approved purpose for which the device or equipment was prescribed, which shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(1) Adaptive devices or mechanical supports used to achieve proper body position, balance, or alignment to allow greater freedom of mobility than would be possible without the use of such devices or mechanical supports.(2) Vehicle safety restraints when used as intended during the transport of a pupil in a moving vehicle.(3) Restraints for medical immobilization.(4) Orthopedically prescribed devices that permit a pupil to participate in activities without risk of harm.(e) Nonpublic school or agency means any nonpublic school or nonpublic agency, including both in-state and out-of-state nonpublic schools and nonpublic agencies.(f) (1) Physical restraint means a personal restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a pupil to move his or her torso, arms, legs, or head freely. Physical restraint does not include a physical escort, which means a temporary touching or holding of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, or back for the purpose of inducing a pupil who is acting out to walk to a safe location.(2) Physical restraint does not include the use of force by peace officers or security personnel for detention or for public safety purposes.(g) Prone restraint means the application of a behavioral restraint on a pupil in a facedown position.(h) Pupil means a pupil enrolled in preschool, kindergarten, or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and receiving educational services from an educational provider.(i) Seclusion means the involuntary confinement of a pupil alone in a room or area from which the pupil is physically prevented from leaving. Seclusion does not include a timeout, which is a behavior management technique that is part of an approved program, that involves the monitored separation of the pupil in a nonlocked setting, and is implemented for the purpose of calming.49005.2. A pupil has the right to be free from the use of seclusion and behavioral restraints of any form imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff. This right includes, but is not limited to, the right to be free from the use of a drug administered to the pupil in order to control the pupils behavior or to restrict the pupils freedom of movement, if that drug is not a standard treatment for the pupils medical or psychiatric condition.49005.4. An educational provider may use seclusion or a behavioral restraint only to control behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others that cannot be immediately prevented by a response that is less restrictive.49005.6. An educational provider shall avoid, whenever possible, the use of seclusion or behavioral restraint techniques.49005.8. (a) An educational provider shall not do any of the following:(1) Use seclusion or a behavioral restraint for the purpose of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation.(2) Use locked seclusion, unless it is in a facility otherwise licensed or permitted by state law to use a locked room.(3) Use a physical restraint technique that obstructs a pupils respiratory airway or impairs the pupils breathing or respiratory capacity, including techniques in which a staff member places pressure on a pupils back or places his or her body weight against the pupils torso or back.(4) Use a behavioral restraint technique that restricts breathing, including, but not limited to, using a pillow, blanket, carpet, mat, or other item to cover a pupils face.(5) Place a pupil in a facedown position with the pupils hands held or restrained behind the pupils back.(6) Use a behavioral restraint for longer than is necessary to contain the behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others.(b) An educational provider shall keep constant, direct observation of a pupil who is in seclusion, which may be through observation of the pupil through a window, or another barrier, through which the educational provider is able to make direct eye contact with the pupil. The observation required pursuant to this subdivision shall not be through indirect means, including through a security camera or a closed-circuit television.(c) An educational provider shall afford to pupils who are restrained the least restrictive alternative and the maximum freedom of movement, and shall use the least number of restraint points, while ensuring the physical safety of the pupil and others. (d) If prone restraint techniques are used, a staff member shall observe the pupil for any signs of physical distress throughout the use of prone restraint. Whenever possible, the staff member monitoring the pupil shall not be involved in restraining the pupil. 49006. (a) A local educational agency that meets the definition of a local educational agency specified in Section 300.28 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations shall collect and, no later than three months after the end of a school year, report to the department annually on the use of behavioral restraints and seclusion for pupils enrolled in or served by the local educational agency for all or part of the prior school year.(b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall include all of the following information, disaggregated by race or ethnicity, and gender:(1) The number of pupils subjected to mechanical restraint, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(2) The number of pupils subjected to physical restraint, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(3) The number of pupils subjected to seclusion, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(4) The number of times mechanical restraint was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times mechanical restraint was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(5) The number of times physical restraint was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times physical restraint was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(6) The number of times seclusion was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times seclusion was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(c) Notwithstanding any other law, the data collected and reported pursuant to this section shall be available as a public record pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code.(d) No later than three months after the report is due to the department pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall post the data from the report annually on its Internet Web site.49006.2. Notwithstanding Section 49006, the data collection and reporting requirements contained in this article shall be conducted in compliance with the requirements of the Civil Rights Data Collection of the United States Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights imposed pursuant to Sections 100.6(b) and 104.61 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and shall not be construed to impose a new program or higher level of service on local educational agencies or nonpublic schools or agencies.49006.4. (a) This article applies with regard to all pupils, including individuals with exceptional needs. For an individual with exceptional needs, if a behavioral restraint or seclusion is used, the procedures for follow-up contained in subdivisions (e), (f), (g) and (h) of Section 56521.1 shall also apply.(b) For purposes of this section, individual with exceptional needs has the same meaning specified in Section 56026.
4762
4863 Article 5.2. Restraint and Seclusion
4964
5065 Article 5.2. Restraint and Seclusion
5166
5267 49005. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) While it is appropriate to intervene in an emergency to prevent a student from imminent risk of serious physical self-harm or harm of others, restraint and seclusion are dangerous interventions, with certain known practices posing a great risk to child health and safety.(b) United States Department of Education guidelines specify that the use of restraint and seclusion must be consistent with the childs right to be treated with dignity and to be free from abuse.(c) Restraint and seclusion should only be used as a safety measure of last resort, and should never be used as punishment or discipline or for staff convenience.(d) Restraint and seclusion may cause serious injury or long lasting trauma and death, even when done safely and correctly.(e) There is no evidence that restraint or seclusion is effective in reducing the problem behaviors that frequently precipitate the use of those techniques.(f) Students with disabilities and students of color, especially African American boys, are disproportionately subject to restraint and seclusion.(g) Well-established California law already regulates restraint techniques in a number of settings, including general acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric health facilities, crisis stabilization units, community treatment facilities, group homes, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, community care facilities, and mental health rehabilitation centers. These minimal protections should be provided to all students in schools.(h) It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that schools foster learning in a safe and healthy environment and provide adequate safeguards to prevent harm, and even death, to children in school.(i) This article is intended to be read to be consistent with, and does not change any requirements, limitations, or protections in, existing law pertaining to students with exceptional needs.(j) It is the intent of the Legislature to prohibit dangerous practices. Restraint and seclusion, as described in this article, do not further a childs education. At the same time, the Legislature recognizes that if an emergency situation arises, the ability of education personnel to act in that emergency to safeguard a student or others from imminent physical harm should not be restricted.
5368
5469
5570
5671 49005. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
5772
5873 (a) While it is appropriate to intervene in an emergency to prevent a student from imminent risk of serious physical self-harm or harm of others, restraint and seclusion are dangerous interventions, with certain known practices posing a great risk to child health and safety.
5974
6075 (b) United States Department of Education guidelines specify that the use of restraint and seclusion must be consistent with the childs right to be treated with dignity and to be free from abuse.
6176
6277 (c) Restraint and seclusion should only be used as a safety measure of last resort, and should never be used as punishment or discipline or for staff convenience.
6378
6479 (d) Restraint and seclusion may cause serious injury or long lasting trauma and death, even when done safely and correctly.
6580
6681 (e) There is no evidence that restraint or seclusion is effective in reducing the problem behaviors that frequently precipitate the use of those techniques.
6782
6883 (f) Students with disabilities and students of color, especially African American boys, are disproportionately subject to restraint and seclusion.
6984
7085 (g) Well-established California law already regulates restraint techniques in a number of settings, including general acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric health facilities, crisis stabilization units, community treatment facilities, group homes, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, community care facilities, and mental health rehabilitation centers. These minimal protections should be provided to all students in schools.
7186
7287 (h) It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that schools foster learning in a safe and healthy environment and provide adequate safeguards to prevent harm, and even death, to children in school.
7388
7489 (i) This article is intended to be read to be consistent with, and does not change any requirements, limitations, or protections in, existing law pertaining to students with exceptional needs.
7590
7691 (j) It is the intent of the Legislature to prohibit dangerous practices. Restraint and seclusion, as described in this article, do not further a childs education. At the same time, the Legislature recognizes that if an emergency situation arises, the ability of education personnel to act in that emergency to safeguard a student or others from imminent physical harm should not be restricted.
7792
7893 49005.1. The following definitions apply to this article:(a) Behavioral restraint means mechanical restraint or physical restraint, as defined in this section, used as an intervention when a pupil presents an immediate danger to self or to others. Behavioral restraint does not include postural restraints or devices used to improve a pupils mobility and independent functioning rather than to restrict movement.(b) Educational provider means a person who provides educational or related services, support, or other assistance to a pupil enrolled in an educational program provided by a local educational agency or a nonpublic school or agency.(c) Local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, charter school, the California Schools for the Deaf, and the California School for the Blind.(d) (1) Mechanical restraint means the use of a device or equipment to restrict a pupils freedom of movement.(2) (A) Mechanical restraint does not include the use of devices by peace officers or security personnel for detention or for public safety purposes.(B) Mechanical restraint does not include the use of devices by trained school personnel, or by a pupil, prescribed by an appropriate medical or related services professional, if the device is used for the specific and approved purpose for which the device or equipment was prescribed, which shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:(1) Adaptive devices or mechanical supports used to achieve proper body position, balance, or alignment to allow greater freedom of mobility than would be possible without the use of such devices or mechanical supports.(2) Vehicle safety restraints when used as intended during the transport of a pupil in a moving vehicle.(3) Restraints for medical immobilization.(4) Orthopedically prescribed devices that permit a pupil to participate in activities without risk of harm.(e) Nonpublic school or agency means any nonpublic school or nonpublic agency, including both in-state and out-of-state nonpublic schools and nonpublic agencies.(f) (1) Physical restraint means a personal restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a pupil to move his or her torso, arms, legs, or head freely. Physical restraint does not include a physical escort, which means a temporary touching or holding of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, or back for the purpose of inducing a pupil who is acting out to walk to a safe location.(2) Physical restraint does not include the use of force by peace officers or security personnel for detention or for public safety purposes.(g) Prone restraint means the application of a behavioral restraint on a pupil in a facedown position.(h) Pupil means a pupil enrolled in preschool, kindergarten, or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and receiving educational services from an educational provider.(i) Seclusion means the involuntary confinement of a pupil alone in a room or area from which the pupil is physically prevented from leaving. Seclusion does not include a timeout, which is a behavior management technique that is part of an approved program, that involves the monitored separation of the pupil in a nonlocked setting, and is implemented for the purpose of calming.
7994
8095
8196
8297 49005.1. The following definitions apply to this article:
8398
8499 (a) Behavioral restraint means mechanical restraint or physical restraint, as defined in this section, used as an intervention when a pupil presents an immediate danger to self or to others. Behavioral restraint does not include postural restraints or devices used to improve a pupils mobility and independent functioning rather than to restrict movement.
85100
86101 (b) Educational provider means a person who provides educational or related services, support, or other assistance to a pupil enrolled in an educational program provided by a local educational agency or a nonpublic school or agency.
87102
88103 (c) Local educational agency means a school district, county office of education, charter school, the California Schools for the Deaf, and the California School for the Blind.
89104
90105 (d) (1) Mechanical restraint means the use of a device or equipment to restrict a pupils freedom of movement.
91106
92107 (2) (A) Mechanical restraint does not include the use of devices by peace officers or security personnel for detention or for public safety purposes.
93108
94109 (B) Mechanical restraint does not include the use of devices by trained school personnel, or by a pupil, prescribed by an appropriate medical or related services professional, if the device is used for the specific and approved purpose for which the device or equipment was prescribed, which shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
95110
96111 (1) Adaptive devices or mechanical supports used to achieve proper body position, balance, or alignment to allow greater freedom of mobility than would be possible without the use of such devices or mechanical supports.
97112
98113 (2) Vehicle safety restraints when used as intended during the transport of a pupil in a moving vehicle.
99114
100115 (3) Restraints for medical immobilization.
101116
102117 (4) Orthopedically prescribed devices that permit a pupil to participate in activities without risk of harm.
103118
104119 (e) Nonpublic school or agency means any nonpublic school or nonpublic agency, including both in-state and out-of-state nonpublic schools and nonpublic agencies.
105120
106121 (f) (1) Physical restraint means a personal restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a pupil to move his or her torso, arms, legs, or head freely. Physical restraint does not include a physical escort, which means a temporary touching or holding of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, or back for the purpose of inducing a pupil who is acting out to walk to a safe location.
107122
108123 (2) Physical restraint does not include the use of force by peace officers or security personnel for detention or for public safety purposes.
109124
110125 (g) Prone restraint means the application of a behavioral restraint on a pupil in a facedown position.
111126
112127 (h) Pupil means a pupil enrolled in preschool, kindergarten, or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and receiving educational services from an educational provider.
113128
114129 (i) Seclusion means the involuntary confinement of a pupil alone in a room or area from which the pupil is physically prevented from leaving. Seclusion does not include a timeout, which is a behavior management technique that is part of an approved program, that involves the monitored separation of the pupil in a nonlocked setting, and is implemented for the purpose of calming.
115130
116131 49005.2. A pupil has the right to be free from the use of seclusion and behavioral restraints of any form imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff. This right includes, but is not limited to, the right to be free from the use of a drug administered to the pupil in order to control the pupils behavior or to restrict the pupils freedom of movement, if that drug is not a standard treatment for the pupils medical or psychiatric condition.
117132
118133
119134
120135 49005.2. A pupil has the right to be free from the use of seclusion and behavioral restraints of any form imposed as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation by staff. This right includes, but is not limited to, the right to be free from the use of a drug administered to the pupil in order to control the pupils behavior or to restrict the pupils freedom of movement, if that drug is not a standard treatment for the pupils medical or psychiatric condition.
121136
122137 49005.4. An educational provider may use seclusion or a behavioral restraint only to control behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others that cannot be immediately prevented by a response that is less restrictive.
123138
124139
125140
126141 49005.4. An educational provider may use seclusion or a behavioral restraint only to control behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others that cannot be immediately prevented by a response that is less restrictive.
127142
128143 49005.6. An educational provider shall avoid, whenever possible, the use of seclusion or behavioral restraint techniques.
129144
130145
131146
132147 49005.6. An educational provider shall avoid, whenever possible, the use of seclusion or behavioral restraint techniques.
133148
134149 49005.8. (a) An educational provider shall not do any of the following:(1) Use seclusion or a behavioral restraint for the purpose of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation.(2) Use locked seclusion, unless it is in a facility otherwise licensed or permitted by state law to use a locked room.(3) Use a physical restraint technique that obstructs a pupils respiratory airway or impairs the pupils breathing or respiratory capacity, including techniques in which a staff member places pressure on a pupils back or places his or her body weight against the pupils torso or back.(4) Use a behavioral restraint technique that restricts breathing, including, but not limited to, using a pillow, blanket, carpet, mat, or other item to cover a pupils face.(5) Place a pupil in a facedown position with the pupils hands held or restrained behind the pupils back.(6) Use a behavioral restraint for longer than is necessary to contain the behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others.(b) An educational provider shall keep constant, direct observation of a pupil who is in seclusion, which may be through observation of the pupil through a window, or another barrier, through which the educational provider is able to make direct eye contact with the pupil. The observation required pursuant to this subdivision shall not be through indirect means, including through a security camera or a closed-circuit television.(c) An educational provider shall afford to pupils who are restrained the least restrictive alternative and the maximum freedom of movement, and shall use the least number of restraint points, while ensuring the physical safety of the pupil and others. (d) If prone restraint techniques are used, a staff member shall observe the pupil for any signs of physical distress throughout the use of prone restraint. Whenever possible, the staff member monitoring the pupil shall not be involved in restraining the pupil.
135150
136151
137152
138153 49005.8. (a) An educational provider shall not do any of the following:
139154
140155 (1) Use seclusion or a behavioral restraint for the purpose of coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation.
141156
142157 (2) Use locked seclusion, unless it is in a facility otherwise licensed or permitted by state law to use a locked room.
143158
144159 (3) Use a physical restraint technique that obstructs a pupils respiratory airway or impairs the pupils breathing or respiratory capacity, including techniques in which a staff member places pressure on a pupils back or places his or her body weight against the pupils torso or back.
145160
146161 (4) Use a behavioral restraint technique that restricts breathing, including, but not limited to, using a pillow, blanket, carpet, mat, or other item to cover a pupils face.
147162
148163 (5) Place a pupil in a facedown position with the pupils hands held or restrained behind the pupils back.
149164
150165 (6) Use a behavioral restraint for longer than is necessary to contain the behavior that poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the pupil or others.
151166
152167 (b) An educational provider shall keep constant, direct observation of a pupil who is in seclusion, which may be through observation of the pupil through a window, or another barrier, through which the educational provider is able to make direct eye contact with the pupil. The observation required pursuant to this subdivision shall not be through indirect means, including through a security camera or a closed-circuit television.
153168
154169 (c) An educational provider shall afford to pupils who are restrained the least restrictive alternative and the maximum freedom of movement, and shall use the least number of restraint points, while ensuring the physical safety of the pupil and others.
155170
156171 (d) If prone restraint techniques are used, a staff member shall observe the pupil for any signs of physical distress throughout the use of prone restraint. Whenever possible, the staff member monitoring the pupil shall not be involved in restraining the pupil.
157172
158173 49006. (a) A local educational agency that meets the definition of a local educational agency specified in Section 300.28 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations shall collect and, no later than three months after the end of a school year, report to the department annually on the use of behavioral restraints and seclusion for pupils enrolled in or served by the local educational agency for all or part of the prior school year.(b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall include all of the following information, disaggregated by race or ethnicity, and gender:(1) The number of pupils subjected to mechanical restraint, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(2) The number of pupils subjected to physical restraint, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(3) The number of pupils subjected to seclusion, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(4) The number of times mechanical restraint was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times mechanical restraint was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(5) The number of times physical restraint was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times physical restraint was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(6) The number of times seclusion was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times seclusion was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.(c) Notwithstanding any other law, the data collected and reported pursuant to this section shall be available as a public record pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code.(d) No later than three months after the report is due to the department pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall post the data from the report annually on its Internet Web site.
159174
160175
161176
162177 49006. (a) A local educational agency that meets the definition of a local educational agency specified in Section 300.28 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations shall collect and, no later than three months after the end of a school year, report to the department annually on the use of behavioral restraints and seclusion for pupils enrolled in or served by the local educational agency for all or part of the prior school year.
163178
164179 (b) The report required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall include all of the following information, disaggregated by race or ethnicity, and gender:
165180
166181 (1) The number of pupils subjected to mechanical restraint, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.
167182
168183 (2) The number of pupils subjected to physical restraint, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.
169184
170185 (3) The number of pupils subjected to seclusion, with separate counts for pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.
171186
172187 (4) The number of times mechanical restraint was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times mechanical restraint was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.
173188
174189 (5) The number of times physical restraint was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times physical restraint was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.
175190
176191 (6) The number of times seclusion was used on pupils, with separate counts for the number of times seclusion was used on pupils with a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), pupils with an individualized education program, and pupils who do not have a plan pursuant to Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794) or an individualized education program.
177192
178193 (c) Notwithstanding any other law, the data collected and reported pursuant to this section shall be available as a public record pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code.
179194
180195 (d) No later than three months after the report is due to the department pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall post the data from the report annually on its Internet Web site.
181196
182197 49006.2. Notwithstanding Section 49006, the data collection and reporting requirements contained in this article shall be conducted in compliance with the requirements of the Civil Rights Data Collection of the United States Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights imposed pursuant to Sections 100.6(b) and 104.61 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and shall not be construed to impose a new program or higher level of service on local educational agencies or nonpublic schools or agencies.
183198
184199
185200
186201 49006.2. Notwithstanding Section 49006, the data collection and reporting requirements contained in this article shall be conducted in compliance with the requirements of the Civil Rights Data Collection of the United States Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights imposed pursuant to Sections 100.6(b) and 104.61 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and shall not be construed to impose a new program or higher level of service on local educational agencies or nonpublic schools or agencies.
187202
188203 49006.4. (a) This article applies with regard to all pupils, including individuals with exceptional needs. For an individual with exceptional needs, if a behavioral restraint or seclusion is used, the procedures for follow-up contained in subdivisions (e), (f), (g) and (h) of Section 56521.1 shall also apply.(b) For purposes of this section, individual with exceptional needs has the same meaning specified in Section 56026.
189204
190205
191206
192207 49006.4. (a) This article applies with regard to all pupils, including individuals with exceptional needs. For an individual with exceptional needs, if a behavioral restraint or seclusion is used, the procedures for follow-up contained in subdivisions (e), (f), (g) and (h) of Section 56521.1 shall also apply.
193208
194209 (b) For purposes of this section, individual with exceptional needs has the same meaning specified in Section 56026.
195210
196211 SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because this act implements a federal law or regulation and results in costs mandated by the federal government, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code.
197212
198213 SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because this act implements a federal law or regulation and results in costs mandated by the federal government, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code.
199214
200215 SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because this act implements a federal law or regulation and results in costs mandated by the federal government, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code.
201216
202217 ### SEC. 2.