Education (School Safety)

HB 1688 expands when schools and treatment facilities may use physical restraint on students, allowing it only when there is an imminent risk of bodily harm to a child or others. It modifies the definition of "seclusion" by adding a new exception: temporarily isolating a child alone to help them regain self-control (if they can leave the area and no barriers exist). The bill removes the previous requirement that restraint must address "substantial" harm, lowering the threshold to "imminent risk" of harm. Restraint must still be a last resort after other interventions fail, used only by trained staff. The bill directly affects students in schools and treatment facilities and the staff who implement these practices.

SB 507 limits school districts' financial responsibility for continuing education services for students expelled due to assaulting school staff. It requires districts to cover only the average per-pupil cost for such students, rather than full educational expenses. The bill does not change expulsion rules or relieve parents of their obligation to educate their children. This applies specifically to students expelled for assault against staff and takes effect 60 days after enactment.