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HB 25-1248

Protect Students from Restraint & Seclusion Act

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Judy Amabile and 16 co-sponsors

Reduces use of restraint and seclusion in schools by requiring safer interventions, training, oversight, and transparency to protect students, especially those with disabilities.

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Bill Summary · HB 25-1248

Summary — HB 25-1248: Protect Students from Restraint & Seclusion Act

Bill number: HB 25-1248
Title: Protect Students from Restraint & Seclusion Act
Status: Governor signed (5/24/2025)
Introduced: February 12, 2025
Primary sponsors: Cathy Kipp; Dafna Michaelson Jenet; Yara Zokaie; Katie Stewart (plus multiple cosponsors)

Purpose / Intent

The bill’s title and legislative context indicate its primary intent is to reduce the use of physical restraint and isolationary seclusion in schools, protect students (especially students with disabilities and other vulnerable populations) from harm, and require safer, less restrictive behavioral interventions. The law aims to increase transparency, accountability, staff training, and oversight around episodes when restraint or seclusion might otherwise be used.

Key provisions (summary of expected/typical elements)

The official enacted text is needed for precise language. Based on the bill title and standard provisions in similar laws, HB 25-1248 likely includes the following types of provisions:

  • Definitions: clear definitions of “restraint,” “seclusion,” “mechanical restraint,” “chemical restraint,” and when an action qualifies as emergency use.
  • Prohibitions and limits: strict limits on when restraint or seclusion may be used (e.g., only when there is imminent danger of serious physical harm and no less-restrictive alternative is possible); possible outright bans on certain types of restraint (e.g., prone or mechanical restraints).
  • Required alternatives: emphasis on positive behavioral interventions, de-escalation, crisis intervention, and individualized behavior support plans.
  • Training and certification: required training for staff on de-escalation, safe crisis management, nonviolent crisis intervention, and disability-competent approaches.
  • Incident reporting and parental notification: mandatory timely reporting to parents/guardians and to the school/district; requirements for documentation of each incident, review, and retention of records.
  • Data collection and public reporting: school districts/state education agency must collect and publish data on restraint/seclusion incidents (by age, race/ethnicity, disability status, school).
  • Oversight and enforcement: roles for the state education agency or other body to monitor compliance, investigate complaints, and impose corrective actions or remedies.
  • Protections for students’ rights: protections to prevent retaliation, require review of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) after incidents for students with disabilities, and ensure access to medical care when needed.
  • Exceptions and emergency procedures: narrowly drawn exceptions for life-threatening situations, with strict post-incident review and time limits.
  • Implementation timeline and funding: may include effective date and any appropriations for training or implementation (not specified here — see enacted text).

Who is affected

  • Students (particularly students with disabilities, behavioral or mental-health needs, and other vulnerable groups) — reduced exposure to restraint/seclusion.
  • Parents and guardians — strengthened notification and oversight rights.
  • School personnel and administrators — new training, reporting, and compliance obligations.
  • School districts and the state education agency — increased data collection, monitoring, and possible budget/staffing needs to comply.
  • Service providers and contractors working in schools.

Legislative progress and timeline

  • Introduced in the House: 2/12/2025 (assigned to Education).
  • Passed House and Senate with committee and floor amendments between Feb–Apr 2025.
  • Sent to Governor: 5/19/2025 (signed by House Speaker and Senate President).
  • Governor signed into law: 5/24/2025.

Exact effective date and statutory placement (e.g., revisions to education code) should be confirmed in the enacted bill text or the session laws.

Notes and next steps

  • This summary is based on the bill title, sponsors, and procedural history provided. For precise requirements (exact prohibitions, definitions, timelines, penalties, funding, and effective date), consult the final enacted bill text or the official state legislative website.
  • I can retrieve and produce a section-by-section summary of the enacted text if you’d like — tell me if you want the full statutory wording or targeted details (definitions, enforcement, or duties for districts).

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

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