FL H0235

School personnel are prohibited from using mechanical restraint on students with disabilities, with exceptions for school resource officers, school safety officers, school guardians, and school security guards in grades 6 through 12.

Authorized school personnel may use physical restraint only when all positive behavior interventions and supports have been exhausted and only when there is an imminent risk of serious injury.

Physical restraint techniques cannot include straightjackets, zip ties, handcuffs, or tie downs that obstruct or restrict breathing or blood flow, place a student in a facedown position with hands restrained behind their back, or inflict pain to induce compliance.

Physical restraint must be discontinued as soon as the dangerous behavior threat has dissipated and may only be used to protect safety, not for student discipline or to correct noncompliance.

The force applied during physical restraint must be the minimum degree necessary to protect the student or others from imminent risk of serious injury; effective July 1, 2022.