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Bill

HB 120

LIMITING STUDENT RESTRAINT & SECLUSION

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Natalie Figueroa and 4 co-sponsors

New Mexico restricts school use of physical restraint and seclusion on students, mandating alternatives and training to protect vulnerable youth and reduce trauma-based discipline.

action postponed indefinitely
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Bill Summary · HB 120

Legislative bill overview

HB 120 restricts the use of physical restraint and seclusion of students in New Mexico schools, establishing limitations on when and how these practices can be applied. The bill likely requires alternatives to restraint and seclusion, mandates training for school personnel, and creates reporting requirements for incidents involving these practices.

Why is this important

Restraint and seclusion in schools have been documented to cause physical injury, psychological trauma, and disproportionately affect students with disabilities and students of color. Establishing clear limits protects vulnerable student populations while forcing schools to develop and implement evidence-based behavioral management strategies that research shows are more effective long-term.

Potential points of contention

  • School discipline authority vs. student safety: Schools may argue that removing these tools limits their ability to respond to dangerous student behavior, while advocates counter that restraint/seclusion are rarely necessary and alternatives exist
  • Implementation costs: Requiring training, developing alternatives, and potentially hiring additional support staff creates budget pressures for already-strained school districts
  • Scope definition: Disagreement over what constitutes "restraint" versus appropriate physical guidance, and what situations justify emergency exceptions to the restrictions

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

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