Committee reviews bill that tightens limits on student isolation and restraint and expands training and reporting

Summary

House Bill 1795 would extend and expand demonstration projects, restrict some forms of isolation and restraint, require new staff training and reporting, and create technical assistance from OSPI. Testimony included survivors, disability advocates, educators and unions who supported the prevention focus but warned the policy requires funding and

The House Education Committee held a lengthy public hearing on House Bill 1795, a comprehensive measure that would expand statewide training and demonstration projects aimed at reducing restraint and eliminating the use of isolation in schools, clarify permissible uses of physical restraint, prohibit chemical and mechanical restraints, and create new reporting, training and OSPI technical‑assistance requirements.

Committee counsel Megan Wargacki gave a high‑level overview. The bill would extend the demonstration projects created in recent budgets, require OSPI to submit a final report on pilot sites by Dec. 15, 2026, and — subject to appropriations — expand pilot sites to Central and Eastern Washington. It also revises conditions under which staff may physically restrain or isolate a student, sets limits on enclosures used for isolation, establishes notification and review procedures after incidents, and requires school districts to submit updated policies and implementation plans. Key dates included a…

Committee reviews bill that tightens limits on student isolation and restraint and expands training and reporting

Summary

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