The bill aims to improve the safety and well-being of students in public schools by prohibiting harmful practices such as chemical restraint, mechanical restraint, and isolation. It establishes clear definitions for terms related to student behavior management and emphasizes the necessity of staff training in managing student behavior. The legislation mandates that any use of restraint or isolation must be closely monitored and only applied when there is an imminent likelihood of serious harm. It also prohibits certain interventions, including chemical restraint and corporal punishment, and requires school districts to adopt policies prioritizing the least restrictive measures necessary for safety.

Additionally, the bill introduces new regulations specifically for students in prekindergarten through grade five, prohibiting isolation unless certain conditions are met, including recommendations from licensed health professionals and parental consent. It mandates intensive crisis prevention training for staff and outlines strict criteria for the use of physical restraint or isolation. The bill requires timely notifications to parents following incidents, daily incident reports, and regular reviews to ensure compliance with new regulations. Furthermore, it establishes monitoring requirements for school district policies on isolation and restraint, mandates training for board members, and emphasizes trauma-informed practices, while also providing for the development of model training plans and demonstration projects to showcase best practices.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 28A.600.485, 28A.600.486, 28A.155.210, 28A.320.127, 28A.320.125, 28A.410.270, 28A.155.250, 28A.415.330