The bill would prohibit school employees "from using seclusion on a pupil, using any physical restraint that poses certain identified risks to a pupil, or using any mechanical restraint on a pupil," according to a Legislative Reference Bureau analysis of the bill.
A school employee may use physical restraint or a timeout on a pupil only if certain requirements, established in the bill, are met. The bill would require instructors to be trained in the safe, effective, and appropriate use of physical restraint and timeout.
The Wisconsin Education Association Council, the state's teachers' union, opposes the legislation.
In a statement, Christina Brey, a WEAC spokeswoman, said organization officials support some aspects of the proposed legislation, like teacher training and parental notification, but have questions about some of the language in the bill.
It is important "to Wisconsin educators that students are physically and emotionally safe at school," Brey said. The organization supports "a reasonable approach to ensuring that safe environment - for children as well as school staff."
Monday, January 25, 2010
Seclusion and Restraint: Wisconsin
A Wisconsin bill (AB682 and SB468) addresses the issue of seclusion and restraint. The Journal-Times reports:
