Committee approves bill tightening restraint and seclusion rules for youth, delays some out-of-state requirements

Summary

A legislative committee approved version 8.1 of House Bill 657, which tightens documentation, reporting and limits on restraint and seclusion for children, requires contractors to adhere to the rules when contracting with out-of-state residential programs, and delays some out-of-state-specific provisions to allow contracting lead time.

The committee approved version 8.1 of House Bill 657 on a roll call vote after finalizing edits to definitions, reporting requirements and effective dates.

Katie, a staff member presenting the draft, told the committee that the bill now states that "the department shall not impose an asset limit for the purpose of initial and continuing eligibility for the Reach Up program." She walked members through multiple wording fixes, including changes to the transportation-of-children section and replacing the term "minors" with "children" in the annual report language.

The draft tightens the definition of seclusion and limits how long a child may be held: committee members agreed that a child "shall not be held for more than one hour in restraint or seclusion," and they resolved phrasing inconsistencies so that provisions apply when either restraint or seclusion is used. The bill also adds documentation and reporting requirements: programs or staff using seclusion or restraint must document each use and…

Committee approves bill tightening restraint and seclusion rules for youth, delays some out-of-state requirements

Summary

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