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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 1248H.P. 823House of Representatives, March 25, 2025
An Act Regarding Physical Escort and Restraint and Seclusion of
Students in Schools
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative SARGENT of York.
Cosponsored by Senator NANGLE of Cumberland and
Representatives: CROCKETT of Portland, FROST of Belgrade, HAGGAN of Hampden,
HEPLER of Woolwich, RAY of Lincolnville, SHAGOURY of Hallowell, SINCLAIR of Bath,
TUELL of East Machias. Page 1 - 132LR1814(01)
1
2 as enacted by PL 2021, c. 453, §1, is
3 amended to read:
4 D. "Physical escort" means the temporary, voluntary touching or holding of the hand,
5 wrist, arm, shoulder or back to induce a student to walk to a safe location.
6 as enacted by PL 2021, c. 453, §1, is amended
7 to read:
8
9
10 subject a student to unlawful restraint or seclusion. A covered entity may use physical
11 restraint or seclusion only if:
12 A. The student's behavior poses an imminent danger of serious physical injury to the
13 student or another person;
14 B. Less restrictive interventions would be ineffective in stopping imminent danger of
15 serious physical injury to the student or another person;
16 C. The physical restraint or seclusion ends immediately upon the cessation of
17 imminent danger of serious physical injury to the student or another person; and
18 D. The least amount of force necessary is used to protect the student or another person
19 from imminent danger of serious physical injury.
20 as enacted by PL 2021, c. 453, §1, is
21 amended to read:
22 G. The aggregate number of serious physical injuries to students related to physical
23 restraint;
24 as enacted by PL 2021, c. 453, §1, is
25 amended to read:
26 H. The aggregate number of serious physical injuries to students related to seclusion;
27 as enacted by PL 2021, c. 453, §1, is
28 amended to read:
29 I. The aggregate number of serious physical injuries to staff related to physical
30 restraint; and
31 as enacted by PL 2021, c. 453, §1, is
32 amended to read:
33 J. The aggregate number of serious physical injuries to staff related to seclusion.
34
35 This bill amends the definition of "physical escort" in the law regarding physical
36 restraint and seclusion in educational settings to provide that the temporary touching or
37 holding of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder or back of a student to induce the student to walk
38 to a safe location does not need to be voluntary.
35
36
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38 Page 2 - 132LR1814(01)
1 The bill also amends the prohibition on the use of physical restraint or seclusion by
2 removing the requirement that an imminent danger be of serious physical injury and instead
3 requires only that there is imminent danger of injury.