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Help Protect Children with Disabilities from Harmful Seclusion and Restraint in Schools
  1. Signatures
    219 out of 500
    Petitioning
    1. The U.S. Senate (+ 1 other)
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      • The U.S. Senate
      • The U.S. House of Representatives
  2. Created By
    United Cerebral Palsy
About this Petition Petition Letter
Why This Is Important

Background

On December 9, the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247, S. 2860) was introduced in the House and Senate. These bills would prevent and reduce inappropriate restraint and seclusion by establishing minimum safety standards in schools, similar to protections already in place in hospitals and non-medical community-based facilities. Click here for more information.

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Watch a Video of the Press Conference on the Introduction of the Bills
http://edlabor.house.gov/video/12-09-09Press-Conf.wmv

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The historic legislation was prompted by a government report that found "hundreds of cases of alleged abuse and death related to the use of these methods on school children during the past two decades. Examples of these cases include a 7 year old purportedly dying after being held face down for hours by school staff, 5 year olds allegedly being tied to chairs with bungee cords and duct tape by their teacher and suffering broken arms and bloody noses, and a 13 year old reportedly hanging himself in a seclusion room after prolonged confinement."

These abusive practices were used disproportionately on children with disabilities, including children diagnosed with autism, cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities.

Take Action

We need your help in getting co-sponsors for the bills, especially Republican co-sponsors.

Members of Congress will be returning to their home districts for the holidays. They will be home until January 8 when the Second Session of the 111th Congress begins. It is important to contact your members of Congress while they are in their home districts to ask them to become co-sponsors of the bills. Scheduling a personal visit is best, but calls, emails, and letters help, too.

» Find out if your Congressman is a cosponsor here «
» Find out if your Senator is a cosponsor here «

A sample message is provided when you use the "Take Action" button. We strongly encourage you to add any information about yourself and your personal interest in the problem of seclusion and restraint of children in school.

If your Representative or Senators express interest in the bill or agree to become a co-sponsor, please let DPC know so staff can follow up with them. Contact Maureen Fitzgerald at mfitzgerald@ucp.org.

Recent Signatures

Help Protect Children with Disabilities from Seclusion and Restraint in Schools by Co-sponsoring HR

Dear ,

Hello. I am writing to request your support for H. R. 4247/S. 2860, the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act. This legislation would require states to develop policies and procedures about using restraint and seclusion only in emergency situations where there is a threat of danger or injury. It would provide grants to encourage States to provide training to school staff.

There are no Federal rules restricting restraint and seclusion in schools, the place where children spend the most time. Reports have detailed hundreds of abusive uses of restraint and seclusion by school staff, including children being pinned to the floor, handcuffed, gagged and duct-taped, and locked in closets.

Restraint and seclusion has resulted in broken bones, cuts and bruises, and even deaths of children. The abusive practices are used frequently on very young children, ages 6 - 10, and disproportionately on children with disabilities.

The National School Boards Association, the National Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers, and the National Association of State Directors of Special Education support the bills. The Arc of the United States and United Cerebral Palsy support these bills.

Please let me know if you would like additional information. Or you can also contact Maureen Fitzgerald at mfitzgerald@ucp.org.

Thank you in advance for your support.

[Your name]