The bill, H.B. No. 409, amends Section 37.0021 of the Education Code to enhance the requirements for behavior management concerning students enrolled in special education programs in public schools. It mandates that school districts adopt procedures for the use of restraint and time-out, ensuring these practices align with accepted standards of student discipline and health and safety. The bill specifies that written notifications must be provided to parents for each instance of restraint, detailing various aspects of the incident, including the nature of the restraint and any prior de-escalation efforts. Notably, it introduces new requirements for documenting whether a mental and physical health screening was conducted after the incident.

Additionally, the bill establishes a new subsection (d-1) that requires school districts to conduct a comprehensive health assessment following any use of restraint. This assessment must include both mental and physical health screenings performed by qualified professionals and must be completed within a reasonable timeframe after the incident. The bill aims to ensure that the holistic well-being of students is prioritized and that appropriate follow-up measures are taken after instances of restraint.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 37.0021 (Education Code 37)