Board debates emergency safety intervention rule after SB 170; directs staff to meet sponsor on data reporting

The Utah State Board of Education’s policy committee on June 1 debated new rules implementing SB 170 and how the state should collect and use data on emergency safety interventions (ESIs), voting to clarify that ESIs “shall not be used for disciplinary purposes,” and directing staff to meet with the bill sponsor about delaying the rule’s data-reporting start date and to return with recommended investigation-protocol language.

The issue matters because SB 170 changed the state code’s requirements for when school staff may use seclusion or physical restraint — the two techniques defined as ESIs — and for the first time requires detailed LEA reporting of each use to the board. Committee members said the changes affect student safety, staff training needs and the board’s data systems.

Deputy Superintendent Elise Nooyi told the committee the draft rule was updated to match the statute and to require LEAs to report a list of data elements for every ESI, including incident timing, duration, purpose and alternative interventions attempted. "The code requires greater reporting from LEAs on the use of ESIs in their schools," Nooyi said. She said staff propose raising the rule’s oversight category because the new reporting and monitoring will increase agency workload.

Behavior specialist Ashley Lauer, who works on restraint and seclusion policy, explained the rule language and why the committee must be explicit about permitted uses. "We don't want these practices being used for disciplinary purposes,"…