On December 12, 2025, bicameral and bipartisan legislation was filed in the House and Senate prohibiting the seclusion of students in schools and certain restraint practices would be banned. The Keeping All Students Safe Act bill would also provide grants to states to train school personnel to on how to address school behaviors with evidence-based, proactive strategies. In addition, it calls for more transparency and oversight to prevent the abuse of students, and would require states to monitor the law’s implementation. Although there is currently no federal law dictating restraint and seclusion practices, Congress has attempted to pass similar legislation for over 15 years.
According to the U.S. Department of Education’s (USDE) Civil Rights Data Collection, approximately 105,700 public school students were physically restrained, mechanically restrained, or placed in seclusion at schools during the 2021-22 school year. However, Some legislators and researchers believe restraint and seclusion practices in schools are probably underreported.
The Act would make it illegal for any school receiving federal taxpayer money to seclude students or carry out restraint practices that restrict a student’s breathing, such as restraining students facedown or on their backs. Physical restraint would only be allowed when it is necessary to protect the safety of students and staff.
For more details from K-12 Dive, click here.