HB22-1376 Summary

• Department of Education must standardize school district reporting methods for suspensions, expulsions, arrests, chronic absenteeism, violence, harassment, bullying, and safe school incidents by August 31, 2023, using standardized data collection with privacy protections.

• Department must develop user-friendly district profile reports accessible on its website by August 31, 2024, disaggregated by student demographics and showing chronic absenteeism rates, suspensions, expulsions, handcuffed students, law enforcement referrals, arrests, physical restraints, and seclusion incidents.

• School resource officers cannot use handcuffs on students unless there is danger to themselves or others or handcuffs are needed during a custodial arrest requiring transport; prohibits chemical, mechanical, and prone restraints on students on school property or at school-sponsored events.

• Redefines "physical restraint" as use of bodily force for more than one minute (previously five minutes); requires written parent notification for restraints lasting 1-5 minutes on day of incident and within five days for restraints of five minutes or longer.

• Appropriates $516,451 to Department of Education and $30,000 to peace officers training board for 2022-23 fiscal year to implement reporting systems, data management, and training standards on restraint and seclusion.