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SF1830 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Use of seclusion permission as a restrictive procedure

AI Generated Summary

This bill proposes amendments to Minnesota's education policy regarding restrictive procedures, specifically addressing the use of seclusion in schools.

Key Provisions:

  1. Prohibitions on Specific Actions: The bill expands existing prohibitions on certain disciplinary actions, including:

    • Conduct prohibited under existing statutes.
    • Forcing a child into physically painful positions.
    • Sensory deprivation or punishment using intense stimuli.
    • Restricting access to assistive devices unless necessary to prevent harm.
    • Actions constituting abuse or neglect.
    • Withholding food, water, or bathroom access.
    • Physical restraints that impair breathing or cause distress.
    • Prone restraints.
    • Seclusion for children from birth through grade 3, effective by September 1, 2024.

  2. Behavioral Supports and Reporting:

    • Encourages schools to implement positive behavior interventions and supports.
    • Allows for the use of reasonable force under certain legal provisions.
    • Requires reporting when force results in physical restraint or seclusion, particularly when used by untrained or unauthorized staff.

  3. Plan to End Seclusion in Schools:

    • Directs the Commissioner of Education to collaborate with stakeholders to develop a plan for urgently ending the use of seclusion in Minnesota schools.
    • Stakeholders include parents, advocacy organizations, legal services, educators, mental health professionals, and representatives from affected communities.
    • The plan must propose specific dates for phasing out seclusion, outline required resources, and recommend necessary staff training and student support services.

Summary:

This legislation seeks to limit the use of restrictive procedures in schools, particularly by banning seclusion for young children (birth to grade 3) and requiring an urgent plan to phase out seclusion practices statewide. The bill also emphasizes positive behavioral interventions and mandates reporting when restrictive procedures are used, ensuring greater oversight and protection for students.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 23, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 23, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 23, 2025HouseFloorActionReferred toEducation Policy
February 23, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toEducation Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Adding the prohibition of the use of seclusion on children from birth through grade 3 by September 1, 2024."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Amendments to section 125A.0942 subdivision 4 introduce additional prohibitions for restrictive procedures in educational settings.",
      "modified": [
        "Expanded the list of prohibited physical interactions with children."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "125A.0942",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New guidelines for recommendations to the legislature for ending seclusion, with specifics on stakeholder cooperation."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Amendments to section 125A.0942 subdivision 6 include changes to behavior supports and reporting mandates.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarified reporting procedures for any use of reasonable force under referenced sections."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "125A.0942",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 6"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Referenced to identify prohibited conduct in educational settings.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "121A.58",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Referenced for allowable use of reasonable force in schools.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "121A.582",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Referenced as legal basis for use of reasonable force.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.06",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Referenced for regulations surrounding the reasonable force and restraint.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.379",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Referenced in defining cooperative units involved in stakeholder consultations.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "123A.24",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  }
]

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