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Reining in Restraints of School Kids

When a special needs child is a bit fussy or has a history of violent outbursts in a classroom setting, who has the right to restrain them or put them into seclusion—and who decides when that goes too far?  In Virginia, that’s not clear.  But  a bill that's sailed through both chambers of the General Assembly will soon change that.

Parents have expressed deep concern about the practice of seclusion and restraint, and some say improper application is a form of abuse. Senate bill sponsor Barbara Favola says 32 other states have established some type of regulation, while Virginia has not. Her bill now directs the Board of Education to do so.

"The regulation would have to comply with the federal principles in this area, the regulation would have to address the notification of parents, and the regulation would have to address the training that would be necessary for teachers to really understand this issue."

Favola says the measure treats special needs children with compassion and allows them the same opportunities for a decent education as all other students. The bill now goes to the governor.

Tommie McNeil is a State Capitol reporter who has been covering Virginia and Virginia politics for more than a decade. He originally hails from Maryland, and also doubles as the evening anchor for 1140 WRVA in Richmond.
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