Bill Summary: HB 7214

• Prohibits school employees from using physical restraint on students except as emergency intervention to prevent immediate injury, except when restraint is medically contraindicated due to conditions such as asthma, seizures, cardiac conditions, obesity, bronchitis, communication disorders, or risk of vomiting.

• Bans life-threatening physical restraints on students (those restricting air flow or immobilizing limbs while prone) and prohibits seclusion as planned intervention in behavioral or educational plans.

• Requires school principals to provide verbal notification within 24 hours and written notification within 3 business days to parents or guardians when a student is placed in physical restraint or seclusion.

• Mandates continuous direct observation monitoring (rather than frequent monitoring) of students in physical restraint or seclusion, with assigned school paraprofessionals serving as monitors when available.

• Requires training for school employees on physical restraint and seclusion, establishment of crisis intervention teams by July 1, 2017, and comprehensive reporting to the State Board of Education; effective July 1, 2019.