Bans using seclusion to confine a student

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Louis Riggs

HB 3495 bans seclusion in schools, prohibiting confinement of students in isolated spaces and mandating non-seclusion behavior supports and compliance measures.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

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Bill Summary — HB 3495 (2026) — Missouri

Purpose and intent

HB 3495 seeks to prohibit the use of seclusion as a method to confine or isolate a student in educational settings. The bill aims to ban seclusion practices in schools, providing a clear statutory prohibition and restricting the use of any room, space, or method intended to confine a student away from others.

Key provisions and changes

Prohibition of seclusion: The bill makes it unlawful for a school to confine a student in seclusion. While the text provided does not detail accompanying alternatives, the emphasis is on eliminating the practice of placing students in isolated or enclosed spaces for behavioral management.

Scope of application: The prohibition is aimed at educational institutions under Missouri authority that serve students, including public schools and potentially other entities operating educational programs, though the exact scope (e.g., charter schools, charter-like programs) would be defined in the bill’s text.

Enforcement and accountability: The bill would likely establish accountability mechanisms for schools that use or attempt to use seclusion, potentially including reporting requirements, investigations of complaints, and penalties for noncompliance. The specific enforcement framework (agencies involved, penalties, and due process) would be spelled out in the bill.

Protection of students: The measure emphasizes safeguarding students from confinement practices that could be physically or psychologically harmful, aligning with broader child welfare and educational equity goals.

Training and policy requirements (potential): Many seclusion-ban bills require schools to develop and implement alternative behavioral supports, staff training on safe and supportive disciplinary approaches, and explicit behavioral intervention plans. If included, HB 3495 may mandate such steps to ensure safe, non-secluding behavior management.

Who is affected

Primary beneficiaries: Students in Missouri schools who would be protected from confinement in seclusion.

Educational providers: Public schools, and possibly other state- or district-operated educational programs, would need to adjust policies, training, and reporting to comply with the ban.

Staff and administrators: School personnel would be required to adopt non-seclusion-based behavior management strategies, receive appropriate training, and follow new procedures for addressing student behavior.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Referred to Emerging Issues (H) on May 15, 2026.

Previous actions: Introduced and read first time on February 26, 2026; read second time on February 27, 2026.

Sponsor: Co-sponsor Louis Riggs.

Next steps: As a bill in the Missouri House, it would proceed to committee deliberation (Emerging Issues) for hearings, potential amendments, and eventually floor votes, with a path to the Senate if passed. Specific timelines would depend on committee schedules and legislative calendar.

Notes

The summary reflects the bill’s stated objective to ban seclusion. The full text would provide precise definitions (e.g., what constitutes “seclusion”), exceptions (if any), enforcement mechanisms, funding implications for district implementation, and required timelines for compliance.