Summary

Wyoming SF 36 is effective July 1, 2011. The bill requires the state superintendent to adopt policies and provide training in regards to the use of restraint and seclusion. School district boards must adopt these policies by December 31, 2011.

Excerpt - 2011 STATE OF WYOMING
                11LSO-0305 2 SF0036

AN ACT relating to public schools; requiring the state superintendent to adopt rules and regulations regarding seclusion and restraint in schools; requiring school district boards to adopt policies regarding the use of seclusion and restraint in schools as specified; defining terms; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

21-3-110. Duties of boards of trustees.

(a) The board of trustees in each school district shall: (xxx) Not later than December 31, 2011, adopt a policy regarding the use of seclusion and restraint in schools. In addition to any requirements provided by rule and regulation of the state superintendent pursuant to W.S. 21-2-202(a)(xxxii), the policy shall require that the parent or legal guardian of the student shall be notified each time that seclusion or restraint is utilized for the student. The policy shall not be limited to any specified group of students and shall apply any time that seclusion or restraint is used for any student. As used in this paragraph:

(A) "Restraint" means the use of physical force, with or without the use of any physical device or material, to restrict the free movement of all or a portion of a student's body. "Restraint" does not include comforting or calming a student, holding the hand or arm of a student to escort the student if the student is complying, intervening in a fight or using a device prescribed by an appropriate professional and consistent with the student's individualized education program;

(B) "Seclusion" means removing a student from a classroom or other school activity and isolating the student in a separate supervised area. "Seclusion" does not include a student requested break or in-school suspension, detention or other appropriate disciplinary.

We can help you support the Act!
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training program techniques have been shown to be effective in both the prevention of and the safe use of physical restraint and seclusion. Our evidence-based program is designed to provide you with training in identifying the underlying causes of the student behaviors that can lead to restraint or seclusion. The training centers on prevention and de-escalation techniques and other alternatives to restraint and seclusion, as well as:
  • Evaluating risk of harm.
  • Monitoring for signs of distress.
  • Documenting incidents.
  • Safe, less-restrictive physical interventions to be used only as a last resort.

Our training can be tailored to the unique needs of your school. With our train-the-trainer option, select staff can be certified to teach the program to other staff in your school or district on a continuing basis. We also offer specialized materials to help you incorporate a comprehensive PBIS plan into your framework for decreasing problem student behavior and promoting positive behavior choices.

We have programs coming up in Wyoming, and a cost-effective, on-site training option is also available.