Committee accepts report on restraints, recommends further study of seclusion and camera policies

The House Children and Family Law committee reviewed a committee report on House Bill 1269, which examined the use of physical restraints and seclusion rooms in schools and treatment facilities, and voted to recommend future legislation.

Chairman Pearson presented Representative Petrino's report and told members the committee held two meetings and viewed the documentary The Kids We Lose as part of the study. He described Petrino's report as "masterful" and said the committee's role at this meeting was to decide whether the subject warranted further legislative study — not to adopt policy details.

Members discussed camera use in seclusion areas versus classrooms. Representative Grossman praised the report and said a compromise could permit cameras only in designated seclusion areas; she warned about privacy concerns and referenced prior ACLU engagement on related camera questions. Representative Bickford said most members did not support classroom filming and urged that the committee plainly limit recommendations to study rather than endorse specific camera policies.

Representative DeSimone and others raised fiscal and constitutional concerns about mandating cameras without a fiscal note, noting limits under the state constitution against unfunded mandates. The chair and members emphasized that recommending further legislation is procedural: it allows future bills to be drafted and debated but does not itself create new law.

After discussion the committee voted to submit the committee report and recommend further legislation on the subject of restraints and seclusion. The chair closed the item by stating the committee's work on HB1269 was finished and they would move on to the next agenda item.

Committee members asked that any future bill be narrowly drafted and mindful of privacy, oversight, and targeted scope before being filed.