Restraint and Seclusion

Restraint and seclusion are safety responses to be used only in the most serious of situations when the risk is high, and all other interventions have proven ineffective. However, we strongly discourage these practices and are committed to promoting positive behavioral interventions. Restraint and seclusion are only used as a last resort in situations where there is an immediate threat to the safety of the students or staff. Our focus remains on creating supportive, inclusive environments that prioritize the well-being and dignity of all students.

• Mechanical Restraint: Use of a device or equipment to restrict a pupil's freedom of movement (with exceptions).
• Physical Restraint: A personal restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a pupil to move his or her torso, arms, legs, or head freely (with exceptions).
• Seclusion: The involuntary confinement of a pupil alone in a room or area from which the pupil is physical prevented from leaving.

AB 1466 Restraint & Seclusion Data

Existing law limits the use of restraint and seclusion by school personnel. It also requires local education agencies (LEAs) to collect data annually and report specific information about the use of behavioral restraints and seclusion in schools to the California Department of Education (CDE). California Education Code section 49006 requires that no later than three months after the end of the school year, LEA's must submit a report to CDE that includes.

The number of students subjected to the mechanical restraint;

The number of students subjected to physical restraint;

The number of students subjected to seclusion;

The number of times mechanical restraint was used on students;

The number of times physical restraint was used on students and

The number of times seclusion was used on student.

This information must be separated by race or ethnicity and gender, with separate counts for students with Section 504 plans and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and those students without such plans.

AB 1466 amends section 49006(c) to now require that LEAs also annually post the data collected and reported to CDE, on their individual internet websites. LEAs remain obligated to make the data collected and reported available as a public record.

You can access the restraint and seclusion data for the County of San Benito, as well as statewide data, on the California Department of Education’s website via the following link: CDE Restraint and Seclusion Data