Can Schools in Your State Pin Kids Down? Probably.

Public schoolchildren across the country were physically restrained or isolated in rooms they couldn’t leave at least 267,000 times in the 2011-2012 school year, despite a near-consensus that such practices are dangerous and have no therapeutic benefit. Many states have little regulation or oversight of such practices. This map shows where your state stands. Data compiled as of January 2014. Related: Violent and Legal: The Shocking Ways School Kids are Being Pinned Down, Isolated Against Their Will

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ProPublica awarded each state a score based on how closely they follow six key elements that are outlined in reform bills and U.S. Department of Education non-mandatory guidance. The highest score is 12, for most restrictions, and the lowest score is 0, meaning least restrictions.

A patchwork of regulation

ProPublica awarded each state a score based on how closely they follow six key elements that are outlined in reform bills and U.S. Department of Education non-mandatory guidance. The lowest score is 0, with the least restrictions.
Is the use of restraints limited to emergencies?

Emergencies involve potential harm to the student or others. ProPublica did not consider “academic disruption” or “property damage” emergencies.
Is the use of seclusions limited to emergencies?

Emergencies involve potential harm to the student or others. ProPublica did not consider “academic disruption” or “property damage” emergencies. Georgia is the only state to prohibit seclusion in all cases.
Is parental notification of either practice required?

Most states don’t require that parents be told every time children are subject to restraints or seclusions.
Is the use of seclusions prohibited?

Georgia is the only state to prohibit seclusion in all cases.
Are restraints that restrict breathing banned?

This includes the so-called "prone" restraint, which some states have prohibited explicitly.
Are mechanical restraints prohibited?

“Mechanical” restraints use something artificial like straps, handcuffs or bungee cords to do the restraining.

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State	Total Score	Restraints limited to emergencies	Seclusion limited to emergencies	Parental notification required	Prohibits seclusion	Prohibits restraints that restrict breathing	Prohibits mechanical restraints
Alaska	0	No	No	No	No	No	No
Arkansas	0	No	No	No	No	No	No
District of Columbia	0	No	No	No	No	No	No
Hawaii	0	No	No	No	No	No	No
Idaho	0	No	No	No	No	No	No
Michigan	0	No	No	No	No	No	No
Mississippi	0	No	No	No	No	No	No
Missouri	0	No	No	No	No	No	No
Nebraska	0	No	No	No	No	No	No
New Jersey	0	No	No	No	No	No	No
New Mexico	0	No	No	No	No	No	No
North Dakota	0	No	No	No	No	No	No
Oklahoma	0	No	No	No	No	No	No
South Carolina	0	No	No	No	No	No	No
South Dakota	0	No	No	No	No	No	No
Virginia	0	No	No	No	No	No	No
California	1	No	No	Only for disabled students *	No	No	No
Nevada	1	No	No	No	Only for disabled students	No	No
Utah	1	No	No	Only for disabled students	No	No	No
Florida	2	No	No	Only for disabled students	No	Only for disabled students	No
Massachusetts	2	No ***	No	Yes *	No	No (a)	No **
Montana	2	No	No	Only for disabled students	No	No	Only for disabled students
North Carolina	2	No	No	Yes *	No	No	No
Connecticut	3	Only for disabled students	No ***	Only for disabled students *	No	Only for disabled students	No ***
New York	3	No	No	Only for disabled students	No	No	Yes
Texas	3	No	No	Only for disabled students	Only for disabled students	Only for disabled students	No
Washington	3	No	No	Only for disabled students	No	Yes	No
Arizona	4	No	No **	Yes *	No	No	Yes
Minnesota	4	Only for disabled students (d)	Only for disabled students	Only for disabled students	No	Only for disabled students (b)	No
Louisiana	5	Only for disabled students	Only for disabled students	Only for disabled students	No	Only for disabled students	Only for disabled students
Pennsylvania	5	Only for disabled students	No	Only for disabled students	Only for disabled students	Only for disabled students****	Only for disabled students
Tennessee	5	Only for disabled students	Only for disabled students	Only for disabled students	No	Only for disabled students	Only for disabled students
Delaware	6	Yes	No **	Yes *	No **	Yes	No **
Iowa	6	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Maryland	6	No ***	No ***	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Rhode Island	6	Yes	No ***	Yes	No (c) ***	Yes	No
West Virginia	6	No	No	Yes	No (c)	Yes	Yes
Alabama	8	Yes	No	Yes *	No	Yes	Yes
Illinois	8	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Indiana	8	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No
Kentucky	8	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
New Hampshire	8	Yes	No ***	Yes *	No	Yes	Yes
Wyoming	8	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Colorado	10	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Kansas	10	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Maine	10	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Ohio	10	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Oregon	10	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes****	Yes
Vermont	10	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Wisconsin	10	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Georgia	12	Yes	Completely banned	Yes	Yes	Yes****	Yes

* parental notication in some instances
** with parental waiver
*** if included in IEP
**** ban limited to prone restraint
(a) Prone restraint permitted by trained staff.
(b) Prone restraint allowed through August 2015.
(c) Seclusion allowed if child is "supervised."
(d) Minnesota's statue "was drafted in a way to create some ambiguity," using "physical holding" instead of "restraint."

Source: Jessica Butler, a national advocate for children with autism. Meral Agish provided research for this map.

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Journalism in the Public Interest

Can Schools in Your State Pin Kids Down? Probably.

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A patchwork of regulation

Is the use of restraints limited to emergencies?

Is the use of seclusions limited to emergencies?

Is parental notification of either practice required?

Is the use of seclusions prohibited?

Are restraints that restrict breathing banned?

Are mechanical restraints prohibited?

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