AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS (Creates a prohibition on the unlawful use of seclusion rooms within any public pre-k program, elementary or secondary school in the state.)

H7729

2026 -- H 7729
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LC004942
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

Introduced By:
Representatives Kislak, Tanzi, Cruz, Biah, Alzate, Stewart, Potter,
Shallcross Smith, Fogarty, and Ajello

Date Introduced:
February 12, 2026

Referred To:
House Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Legislative findings and purpose.
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(1) Seclusions can occur in spaces used for "time out," "calming down," "de-escalation,"
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"quiet," or "isolation," if the student is alone and not free to leave. Placing children in seclusion
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causes students to lose extensive instructional time even due to non-crisis behaviors or exhibiting
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an imminent danger to themselves or others. Additionally, while in seclusion, students would often
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engage in self-injurious behaviors such as banging their head against the door without staff
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intervention.
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(2) It is the policy of the State of Rhode Island to promote safety and prevent harm to all
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students, staff, and visitors in the public schools and to treat all school students with dignity and
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respect in the delivery of discipline, seclusion, and use of reasonable force as permitted by law.
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(3) To accomplish such policy. It is the intention of the legislature to provide school staff
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with clear guidelines about what constitutes use of reasonable force permissible in Rhode Island
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schools with the goal of improving student achievement, attendance, promotion and graduation
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rates by employing positive behavioral interventions to address student behavior in a positive and
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safe manner while promoting retention of valuable teachers and other school personnel by
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providing appropriate training in prescribed procedures, which address student behavior in a
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positive and safe manner.
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SECTION 2. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is
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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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16-21-44. Prohibition of seclusion classrooms.

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(a) No student shall be subjected to unlawful seclusion by program personnel, a law
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enforcement officer, or a school security guard, while attending any public pre-k program,
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elementary or secondary school in the state. An unlawful seclusion does not include physical
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escort, a physical prompt to use adaptive devices or mechanical supports, physical restraints or
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time-outs and shall only apply to isolation in a designated seclusion room.
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(b) The commissioner of elementary and secondary education (“commissioner”) shall
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address any complaints alleging a violation of this section to conduct an appropriate investigation.
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The commissioner shall promulgate the rules and regulations of such investigation and the
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department of education shall publish, on its website, all notice requirements, forms and
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instructions as to how to submit a complaint of any alleged violation.
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SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS
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This act would create a prohibition on the unlawful use of seclusion rooms within any
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public pre-k program, elementary or secondary school in the state.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004942 - Page 3 of 3