The proposed bill amends the Human Services Code to establish standards for ensuring safe and humane institutional practices for children in facilities. It introduces a new section, Section 724.1, which outlines that restrictive procedures, such as chemical restraints, manual restraints, mechanical restraints, seclusion, exclusion, strip searches, and body cavity searches, should only be employed as a last resort to protect children from immediate physical harm. The bill emphasizes that these procedures cannot be used for punishment or administrative convenience and mandates that any inappropriate use of such measures will lead to investigations and potential license revocation for the facility involved.

Additionally, the bill requires the Department to set standards for facilities, including prohibiting the use of restrictive procedures unless absolutely necessary, ensuring children's rights to privacy and education, and maintaining a discipline plan focused on positive reinforcement rather than punishment. It also mandates regular inspections of facilities, the documentation of any searches or restraints, and the publication of quarterly reports detailing the use of seclusion and restraints, disaggregated by various demographic factors. The bill aims to enhance accountability and transparency in the treatment of children in institutional settings, ensuring their safety and well-being.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1864 (Jun 09, 2025): P.L.31, No.21
Printer's No. 2098 (Jul 08, 2025): P.L.31, No.21