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Bill

Bill

S 3693

Expands limits on use of restraint and seclusion to all students and imposes certain data collection and training requirements on DOE.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Vin Gopal

Bill expands restraint and seclusion restrictions to all students and requires schools to collect data and train staff on alternative behavior management methods.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee
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Bill Summary · S 3693

Legislative bill overview

S 3693 expands restrictions on the use of physical restraint and seclusion in schools, applying these limits to all students regardless of disability status. The bill also mandates that the Department of Education implement new data collection protocols and establish training requirements for school personnel on alternatives to restraint and seclusion.

Why is this important

Current New Jersey law primarily restricts restraint and seclusion for students with disabilities, but this expansion would protect all students from these practices except in genuine emergencies. Restraint and seclusion have documented risks including psychological trauma, physical injury, and disproportionate use against students of color and those with behavioral/emotional disabilities; comprehensive data collection would increase transparency and accountability.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and emergency definitions: Schools may argue the bill's definitions of permissible emergency use are too narrow, potentially limiting their ability to manage volatile situations and creating liability concerns
  • Implementation costs and burdens: Requiring new training programs, data collection systems, and alternative intervention protocols could impose significant costs on school districts with varying resources
  • Effectiveness of alternatives: Disagreement over whether non-restraint alternatives are equally effective for all situations, particularly with students experiencing severe behavioral crises or safety threats

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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