JKA
Adoption Date: 10/24/2001, Revised: 12/12/2012
J - Students
JKA Restraint of Students in Public Schools
J - Students
JKA Restraint of Students in Public Schools
Restraint of Students in Public Schools
The Dudley-Charlton Regional School District complies with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) restraint regulations, 603 CMR 46.00 et seq. (“Regulations”) to the extent required by law. According to their terms, the Regulations apply not only at school but also at school-sponsored events and activities whether or not on school property. A brief overview of the Regulations is provided below.
Methods and Conditions for Implementation. School staff may use physical restraint only (1) when non-physical interventions would be ineffective and the student’s behavior poses a threat of imminent, serious harm to self and/or others or (2) pursuant to a student’s IEP or other written plan developed in accordance with state and federal law and approved by the school and parent or guardian.
Physical restraint may not be used as a means of punishment or as a response to property destruction, disruption of school order, a student’s refusal to comply with a school rule or staff directive, or verbal threats that do not constitute a threat of imminent, serious or physical harm. Chemical and mechanical restraints may only be used if explicitly authorized by a physician and approved by a parent or guardian. Seclusion is prohibited.
The Regulations do not prevent a teacher, employee or agent of the district from using reasonable force to protect students, other persons or themselves from assault or imminent serious harm or from restraining students as otherwise provided in the Regulations.
Staff Training. All school staff must receive training with respect to the district’s restraint policy (i.e. following the Regulations), including receiving information about interventions that may preclude the need for restraint, types of restraint and related safety considerations, and administering physical restraint in accordance with known medical or psychological limitations and/or behavioral intervention plans applicable to an individual student. Additionally, the school must identify specific staff to serve as school-wide resources to assist in ensuring proper administration of physical restraint. These individuals must participate in in-depth training with respect to restraint and implementation of the Regulations.
Reporting Requirements and Follow-Up. In instances where a physical restraint (1) lasts more than five minutes or (2) results in injury to a student or staff member, the school staff must report the physical restraint to the principal or a designee. The principal/designee must maintain an ongoing record of all such reported instances, which will be made available in accordance with state and federal law and regulations. The principal/designee must also verbally inform the student’s parents or guardian of the restraint as soon as possible, and by written report postmarked no later than three school working days following the use of the restraint. The written restraint report must be provided to the parent or guardian in the language in which report cards and other necessary school-related information are customarily provided.
In the event that a physical restraint (1) lasts longer than 20 minutes or (2) results in serious injury to the student or staff member, the school must, within five school working days of the reported restraint, provide a copy of the written report to DOE along with a copy of the school’s record of physical restraints covering the thirty-day period prior to the date of the restraint.
For students who require the frequent use of restraint because they present a high risk of frequent, dangerous behaviors, school staff may seek and obtain the parent or guardian’s consent to waive reporting the requirements for restraints administered to an individual student that do not result in serious injury to the student or staff member or constitute extended restraint (longer than 20 minutes).
Follow-up procedures for restraint include not only the reporting requirements set forth above, but also reviewing the incident with the student, staff and consideration of whether follow-up is appropriate for students who witnessed the incident.
Complaints: Students, parents or guardians who have a complaint regarding physical restraint procedures may request a meeting with the building principal to discuss their concerns. If the parent/guardians’ issues are not resolved at this level, they may request a meeting with the Superintendent of Schools.
The superintendent will respond, within 10 school days, to the person who appealed the report.
LEGAL REF.: 603 CMR
Adopted October 24, 2001
Amended December 12, 2012