Indiana's new restraint law comes on the heels of many recent state moves to govern the use of restraint and seclusion in schools. With both staff and student safety in mind, several states including Wisconsin and Ohio have also recently passed measures to guide educators with resources for handling out-of-control children safely and effectively while reducing the need for restraint and seclusion.
Indiana's law requires school employees to be trained in:
- Prevention and de-escalation techniques including Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) and conflict de-escalation.
- The safe use of physical restraint and seclusion to be used only as a last resort when a student presents a danger to self or others.
The law requires the state to adopt rules to minimize or eliminate restraint and seclusion in Indiana schools. It also establishes a commission to develop a statewide model restraint and seclusion plan that calls for seclusion and restraint to be used only as a last resort when a student presents a danger to self or others. The commission must develop the model plan by August 1, 2013. Schools are required to have plans in place for the 2014–15 school year.
For more information read Senate Bill No. 345 and The Nonviolent Crisis Intervention ® Training Program and Positive Behavior Support [PDF].