Bill up for vote would limit student restraint

MADISON, Wis. — Public school employees would be limited in when they could physically restrain or seclude students under a bill up for debate in the Wisconsin state Assembly.

The bill to be voted on Tuesday previously passed the Senate unanimously in January.

Under the proposal, a student must present a clear and immediate danger to themselves or to others to be physically restrained. Any seclusion must be supervised and can last only as long as necessary to resolve risk.

The bill also specifies that only people who have been properly trained should be involved in using any restraint or seclusion tactics, though someone untrained can supervise exclusion in an emergency situation.

If passed and signed by Gov. Scott Walker, it would take effect in September.