CA AB2657

Authorizes educational providers to use physical or mechanical restraints and seclusion only when a pupil poses an immediate danger of serious physical harm that cannot be prevented by less restrictive means.

Prohibits use of restraints or seclusion for coercion, discipline, convenience, or retaliation, and bans specific dangerous techniques including prone restraints, airway obstruction, and locked seclusion in unlicensed facilities.

Requires constant direct observation of pupils in seclusion and mandates use of the least restrictive alternative with maximum freedom of movement during restraint.

Requires local educational agencies serving students with disabilities to collect and report annually to the State Department of Education on restraint and seclusion usage, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and gender, with data posted publicly within 3 months after the school year ends.

Clarifies that data collection requirements comply with federal Civil Rights Data Collection standards and do not impose new programs or service levels on schools.