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Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

Congress moves to ban seclusion and dangerous restraints in federally funded schools

Also known as: Keeping All Students Safe Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Positive Impacts(6)
Cognitive Developmental
Helps
Mental Health
Helps
Chronic Illness
Helps
Student
Helps
Child Tax Credit
Helps
Military Active
Helps

Key Points

  • Bans schools that get federal funds from using seclusion (locking a student alone) and from using mechanical or chemical restraint.
  • Blocks dangerous holds that can restrict breathing or blood flow (including face-down or face-up holds) and limits when physical restraint can be used.
  • Allows physical restraint only in emergencies when a student poses imminent danger of serious physical injury, and it must stop as soon as the danger stops.
  • Requires same-day parent notice after a restraint incident, written notice within 24 hours, and a meeting within 5 school days to review what happened and prevent repeats.
  • Makes states report restraint data to the public each year and sets up grants to help states train staff and improve school behavior supports; authorizes $40 million per year for 2026–2030.
EducationDisability RightsCivil RightsCriminal Justice

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 11, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Dec 11, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

As soon as the law takes effect after it is enacted

Schools that receive federal financial assistance must stop using seclusion and other banned restraints.

If your child’s school takes federal funds, staff cannot lock a student alone or use mechanical/chemical restraints, and cannot use holds that restrict breathing or blood flow.

During the first 1–2 years after enactment

States build or approve crisis intervention training and certify enough staff.

Schools should have more staff trained in de-escalation, safe crisis response, first aid, and CPR—so fewer crises end in physical restraint.

Related News

3 articles
House Education and Workforce Committee Democrats (press release)·3 months ago

House and Senate Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Students from Dangerous Seclusion and Restraint Practices

Announces reintroduction of the Keeping All Students Safe Act; bans seclusion and certain dangerous restraints in federally funded schools and outlines key safeguards and oversight.

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Sen. Chris Murphy (press release)·3 months ago

Murphy, Sanders, Bicameral Colleagues Introduce Bill To Protect Kids From Seclusion And Forcible Restraint in Schools

Details the Keeping All Students Safe Act’s prohibition on seclusion and dangerous restraint techniques, plus grants and reporting requirements aimed at reducing restraint use.

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National Down Syndrome Society·about 2 months ago

Keeping All Students Safe Act (KASSA) Toolkit

Advocacy explainer referencing S.3448/H.R.6617 and summarizing how the bill would prohibit seclusion, mechanical/chemical restraint, and narrowly limit physical restraint.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Keeping All Students Safe Act

Bill NumberHR 6617
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(29)
D: 28R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.