The Virginia General Assembly is addressing the use of restraint and seclusion of students.
Your action is needed today!
The Virginia Senate voted to regulate (SB782) the use of seclusion and restraint in public school children. The House of Delegates will now hear similar legislation (HB1443).
On Monday morning, February 2, 2015, the House Education Committee will consider HB1443.
Please contact your Delegate today and let them know why it is important they support HB1443.
Advocates like Alex (pictured by Arc of VA) have testified in support of HB1443. Now the House needs to hear your voice!
In 2014, the Arc of Virginia requested a review of the use of restraint and seclusion in schools. The Commission on Youth conducted the review. The Virginia Coalition for Students with Disabilities developed extensive public comment. A huge collaborative advocacy effort has continued with the formation of the Virginia Coalition for the Improvement of School Safety (CISS).
https://www.facebook.com/groups/660063074101885/
Senate Bill 782 has been passed by the Senate.
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?151+sum+SB782
HB1443 goes to Committee on February 2.
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?151+sum+HB1443
The bills will:
- limit dangerous restraint and seclusion to emergencies threatening serious physical harm and stop their use for activities that threaten no one.
- require schools to use preventative strategies and practical de-escalation and evidence-based positive behavioral strategies.
- require prompt parental notice, preferably within 24 hours if restraints must be used in an emergency. This enables parents to watch for concussions, hidden injuries, and psychiatric trauma, and to seek appropriate medical care.
House Bill 1443 will be addressed by the House Education Committee Monday morning.
Please contact your Delegate now and let them know why it is important that they support HB1443.
Members of the House Education Committee are listed at http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?151+com+H9.
1. If you live in the district of one of these Committee members, please contact your Delegate now.
2. Let them know why it is important that they support HB1443.
3. Be sure to include your street address in your email so the Delegate knows that the email is from one their constituents.
If your Delegate is not serving on the House Education Committee, you can still contact the Committee members.
Need to know who your Delegate is? Go to http://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/
Read More
https://www.wrightslaw.com/virginia/sped.index.htm
