SENATE BILL No. 836

 

 

March 2, 2016, Introduced by Senators JONES, O'BRIEN, HERTEL, HOPGOOD and MARLEAU and referred to the Committee on Education.

 

 

 

     A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled

 

"The revised school code,"

 

(MCL 380.1 to 380.1852) by adding section 1307c.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

     Sec. 1307c. The state policy under section 1307a shall include

 

at least all of the following provisions concerning use of

 

emergency seclusion and emergency physical restraint:

 

     (a) Emergency seclusion and emergency physical restraint may

 

be used only under emergency situations and if essential.

 

     (b) Emergency seclusion and emergency physical restraint may

 

not be used in place of appropriate less restrictive interventions.

 

     (c) Emergency seclusion and emergency physical restraint shall

 

be performed in a manner that, based on research and evidence, is

 

safe, appropriate, and proportionate to and sensitive to the

 

pupil's severity of behavior, chronological and developmental age,


 

physical size, gender, physical condition, medical condition,

 

psychiatric condition, and personal history, including any history

 

of physical or sexual abuse or other trauma.

 

     (d) A requirement that school personnel shall immediately call

 

key identified personnel for help from within the school building

 

at the onset of an emergency situation.

 

     (e) A requirement that the school district, intermediate

 

school district, or public school academy must ensure that

 

substitute teachers are informed of all local emergency procedures,

 

including the procedures regarding use of emergency seclusion and

 

emergency physical restraint.

 

     (f) Emergency seclusion should not be used any longer than

 

necessary, based on research and evidence, to allow a pupil to

 

regain control of his or her behavior and generally no longer than

 

15 minutes for an elementary school pupil or 20 minutes for a

 

middle school or high school pupil. If an emergency seclusion lasts

 

longer than 15 minutes for an elementary school pupil or 20 minutes

 

for a middle school or high school pupil, all of the following are

 

required:

 

     (i) Additional support, which may include a change of staff, or

 

introducing a nurse, specialist, or additional key identified

 

personnel.

 

     (ii) Documentation to explain the extension beyond the time

 

limit.

 

     (g) Emergency physical restraint should not be used any longer

 

than necessary, based on research and evidence, to allow a pupil to

 

regain control of his or her behavior and generally no longer than


 

10 minutes. If an emergency physical restraint lasts longer than 10

 

minutes, all of the following are required:

 

     (i) Additional support, which may include a change of staff, or

 

introducing a nurse, specialist, or additional key identified

 

personnel.

 

     (ii) Documentation to explain the extension beyond the time

 

limit.

 

     (h) While using emergency seclusion or emergency physical

 

restraint, school personnel must do all of the following:

 

     (i) Involve key identified personnel to protect the care,

 

welfare, dignity, and safety of the pupil.

 

     (ii) Continually observe the pupil in seclusion or restraint

 

for indications of physical distress and seek medical assistance if

 

there is a concern.

 

     (iii) Document observations.

 

     Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days

 

after the date it is enacted into law.

 

     Enacting section 2. This amendatory act does not take effect

 

unless all of the following bills of the 98th Legislature are

 

enacted into law:

 

     (a) House Bill No. 5410.            

 

               

 

     (b) Senate Bill No. 837.