Bill
SB 1943
IL SB 1943 tightens limits on seclusion, time-out, and restraints in schools, bans mechanical/chemical restraints, and moves to nonviolent crisis interventions with training.
Status (as of April 2025)
- Introduced: 02/06/2025
- Sponsor: Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel
- Latest action: Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 filed 03/27/2025 and adopted 04/02/2025; bill placed on 2nd Reading calendar; 04/11/2025 — Rule 3‑9(a) / Re‑referred to Assignments.
- Companion: HB 12
Purpose and intent
- To restrict and tightly regulate the use of seclusion (“isolated time out”), time out, and physical restraints in Illinois schools; to move schools toward reducing and ultimately eliminating these practices and replacing them with nonviolent crisis interventions; and to strengthen training, reporting/review, and complaint mechanisms.
Key provisions (Senate Amendment No. 1 and bill synopsis)
- Definitions: Expands and clarifies definitions of “isolated time out,” “time out,” “physical restraint” (and exceptions such as brief comforting touch, blocking elopement, breaking up fights), “mechanical restraint,” “chemical restraint,” and “prone physical restraint.”
- Use limited: Isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint (except prone restraint under narrow conditions) may be used only when:
- The student’s behavior presents an imminent danger of serious physical harm to self or others;
- Less restrictive measures have been attempted and failed;
- No known medical contraindication exists; and
- Staff applying the intervention have required training established by State Board of Education rule.
- Prohibitions:
- Mechanical and chemical restraints are expressly prohibited.
- Prone restraint is generally prohibited but the amendment specifies limited exceptions where all of the following must be satisfied (examples shown in amendment text):
1. The student’s Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) specifically allows prone restraint;
2. The BIP was in place before Jan 1, 2021;
3. The BIP has IEP team approval;
4. Staff applying prone restraint have State Board‑established training;
5. (Truncated text indicates additional safety/de‑escalation requirements.)
- Training: Staff responsible for implementing isolated time out, time out, or restraint must be trained in the district’s nonviolent intervention system and receive refresher training at least once every 2 years; each session must be at least 6 hours.
- State Board responsibilities: Required to convene stakeholders annually to review data and strategies related to use of restraints/time out, alternatives, professional development needs, and decisions made by the Board.
- Complaints & notifications: The introduced bill’s synopsis notes removal of prior statutory language requiring parent/guardian and State Superintendent notice and that the bill replaces existing complaint procedures (from State Board rule) with statutory procedures; the amendment text is truncated but addresses changes to complaint/notification processes.
Who is affected
- Public school students (particularly students with IEPs/Section 504 plans and students with behavioral needs)
- School district staff (teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals) — training and practice changes
- Parents and guardians — changes to notification/complaint pathways
- State Board of Education — rulemaking, stakeholder convening, data review duties
Potential impacts
- Likely reduction of seclusion and restraint use where schools comply; increased emphasis on positive behavioral interventions and de‑escalation.
- Administrative and fiscal impacts for districts: mandated training (time/cost), policy updates, data collection, and possible changes in special education BIPs/IEPs.
- Legal/compliance effects: districts will need to align practices and documentation with the new statutory standards and complaint procedures.
Notes
- The Senate Committee Amendment substantially rewrites Section 10‑20.33 of the School Code; some amendment text was truncated in the provided file. For final legal effect, consult the full engrossed amendment and any subsequent amendments or enrolled bill text.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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