Michigan bill to ban school seclusion

United States — Michigan schools restrained or secluded students nearly 18,000 times during the 2024-2025 school year, mostly involving students with disabilities, despite a decade-old law aimed at reducing such practices. Advocacy group Michigan Advocates to End Seclusion and Restraint (EndSaR) and families have pushed for stronger safeguards. State Sen. Stephanie Chang plans to introduce a bill this fall that would prohibit seclusion, restrict restraint to emergencies, require districts to create reduction plans if they excessively restrain students, and mandate trauma-informed training for staff. The bill faces opposition from some educators, including Kirsten Myers of United States — Kent Intermediate School District, who argues existing training already addresses these issues. The United States — Michigan Department of Education has not taken a formal position but has convened a task force recommending clarity and prevention. Federal actions include a Department of Justice investigation into United States — Montcalm Intermediate School District and proposed bipartisan national legislation.