The House Education and Labor Committee passed legislation (HR 4247) on February 4 that would create new federal standards for the use of seclusion and restraint in schools. The bill passed by a vote of 34-10, with 5 Republicans joining all Democrats on the committee in supporting the bill.
The legislation was introduced after a 2009 study by the Governmental Accountability Office (GAO) found hundreds of alleged cases of inappropriate use of seclusion and restraint in schools.
In a committee statement, Rep. Miller’s office indicated that the legislation is consistent with an Obama administration set of principles on seclusion and restraint laid out in a December 8, 2009 letter. The committee has also released a “myths and facts” statement on seclusion and restraint. The full committee report canbe found here.
Similar legislation (S 2860) has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT).
March 3 Update: The House today passed HR 4247 by a vote of 262-153. The bill now goes to the Senate.