The bill amends Section 22-5-4.12 of the New Mexico Statutes to address the use of physical restraint in public schools, significantly limiting its application and prohibiting other forms of restraint and seclusion. Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of seclusion, chemical restraint, mechanical restraint, and prone restraint in public schools. It allows physical restraint only under specific conditions, such as when a student's behavior poses an imminent danger of serious physical harm to themselves or others, and less restrictive interventions are deemed insufficient. Additionally, the bill introduces definitions for various terms related to restraint and behavior management, including "de-escalation," "elopement," and "time-out."

Furthermore, the bill mandates that schools establish policies for training staff in positive behavior interventions, de-escalation techniques, and the safe use of physical restraint. Training must occur biannually and include practice sessions on restraint techniques. Schools are also required to document incidents of physical restraint, notify parents on the same day of the incident, and review strategies for addressing dangerous behavior if restraint is used multiple times within a school year. The bill emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring during restraint and prohibits its use as a punishment, ensuring that the rights and safety of students are prioritized.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 22-5-4.12