Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Restraint & Seclusion Legislation/Hearing Feb 4, 2010


News U.S. House of Representatives


EDUCATION & LABOR COMMITTEE

Congressman George Miller, Chairman


ADVISORY FOR Thursday, February 4, 2010

Press Office, 202-226-0853


Advisory: House Education Committee to Consider Legislation to Protect Children From Abuse in Schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, February 4th, the House Education and Labor Committee will consider legislation that will protect schoolchildren from harmful uses of restraint and seclusion in their classrooms.


A recent investigation by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found hundreds of allegations that children have been abused, and some even died, as a result of misuses of restraint and seclusion in public and private schools, often at the hands of untrained staff. Unlike in hospitals and other medical and community-based facilities that receive federal health funding, there are currently no federal laws addressing restraint and seclusion in schools.


The Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247) is the first national effort to address this troubling problem and ensure the safety of everyone involved – both students and school staff. It would establish minimum safety standards in schools and increase transparency, oversight and enforcement to prevent future abuse, among other things. Learn more here: http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2009/12/preventing-harmful-restraint-a.shtml.


WHAT: Full Committee Mark-Up of H.R. 4247 “The Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act”


WHEN: Thursday, February 4, 2009

11:00 a.m. ET


WHERE: House Education and Labor Committee Hearing Room

2175 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C.


Note: This hearing will be webcast live from the Education and Labor Committee website. You can access the webcast when the hearing begins at 11:00 am Eastern here.

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