FL: Media Advisory - REPRESENTATIVE HUKILL TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION BILL

Florida House of Representatives

Representative Dorothy L. Hukill

District 28

*MEDIA ADVISORY*

Contact: Lindsey Swindle

Phone: 386-316-9033

1/11/2010 4:30 PM

REPRESENTATIVE HUKILL TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION BILL

Tallahassee – On Wednesday, January 13th, State Representative Dorothy L. Hukill (R-Port Orange) will hold a press conference on House Bill 81, which restricts the use of restraint and seclusion on students with disabilities. The legislation would ban the use of seclusion rooms and restrict the use of manual physical restraint to emergency situations as well as require incidents to be reported and tracked. Florida currently has no regulations in place on the use of restraint or seclusion.

While under supervision or due to lack of proper supervision, there have been many instances of students dying or being severely traumatized from being restrained or placed in seclusion. Some children do to their physical limitations are unable to speak out against this type of treatment. This bill serves to create a safe environment for all students and school personnel. House Bill 81 has been endorsed by numerous disability rights groups, many of whom will have representatives join Representative Hukill in speaking. The press conference will be on Wednesday January 13^th, on the 4^th floor rotunda of The Capitol building, 400 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1300.

WHO: State Representative Dorothy L. Hukill, Parents of children restrained or placed into seclusion rooms, Representatives of disability rights groups.

WHAT: Press Conference on House Bill 81

WHEN: Wednesday January 13th, 2010 at 11:00am

WHERE: 4^th Floor Rotunda, Capitol Building, Tallahassee, Florida.

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