2026 Bill Promotion

Vision: Seclusion and restraint are not needed in schools. Crisis situations are prevented by meeting student needs in trauma-informed, neuroscience aligned, neurodiversity affirming, relationship based, collaborative educational environments.

Campaign Goal: Michigan legislators pass a bill to update the seclusion and restraint law requiring:

Trauma training for educators with clearance to use restraint holds
Seclusion & Restraint definitions aligned with federal definitions
Updated Guidance, excessive use of restraint defined & requires reduction
Publicly available data expanded to include grade, race, & gender
Threshold for use of restraint raised to "imminent risk of serious bodily harm"
Seclusion prohibited in all circumstances
Investigation & support plan required if a student is restrained repeatedly

Quick Action: Let your legislators know that you support this change with this 2 minute letter campaign

Send Letter

2026 Bill Promotion Campaign

End the Harm

Seclusion and restraint are outdated interventions that came from a time when much less was understood about the developing brain, the neuroscience of behavior, trauma, and before current, more effective, and safer systems of helping children work through difficult emotions were developed. Using seclusion and restraint is harmful to students’ mental health and it makes schools less safe both for students and for educators, especially when these tactics are used repeatedly and when state laws and federal guidance are not followed.

A Better Way

1 Page Overview

Michigan Draft Bill

Children are being harmed by seclusion and restraint. The current law is not preventing it. The proposed bill offers what educators need to keep themselves and their students safe.

It's time to update our laws!

Questions & Answers

Michigan Draft Bill

Some educators and community members are reluctant to support a change to our current laws because they are afraid that students will not be able to access voluntary calming spaces or educators will not be able to use restraint in emergency situations. This bill was carefully worded to ensure access in these necessary situations.

This bill supports students & staff

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2023-24 School Year

Alarming Rate

Michigan students are experiencing seclusion & restraint at alarming rates despite Michigan laws meant to reduce and eliminate their use. Measures in the law were meant to prevent multiple use on a student, yet the individual student experience remains high.

7.5 times each statewide average

58 times per year at the highest

Solutions

Information Packet

This packet was created to help communities understand the problem and find solutions. It includes a position statement, data, requests for improvement, a review of Michigan law and federal guidance, recommendations, and equitable approaches.

Safe schools without seclusion and restraint - It can be done, it is being done, we are doing it...together!

Follow the law!!!

Resolution

We want student needs to be met so that they are not pushed to the point of meltdown which can result in seclusion or restraint. There are measures in state law & federal guidance to better meet student needs, but they aren't being followed. Simply following the law would be a good start.

School Board Resolution

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Make a plan

Planning Guide

This Seclusion and Restraint Reduction Plan Guide was created for schools to use as a tool. Schools are welcome to use it as an example, modifying it to meet their specific needs. Every school in Michigan that is using seclusion and restraint should have a plan to reduce and eliminate it.

Editable Planning Guide

Solution

Community Support

Creating safe schools without punitive, exclusionary discipline means supporting the entire community. EndSaR works from the top down, from the bottom up, from the inside, and from the outside. Our approach is through student advocacy, educator support, caregiver education, legislative change, and quality control. This document is an overview of our work and how you can learn more.

System Change

Educator Support

High numbers of seclusions and restraints in schools is a cry for help from those in the classroom. It is a clear statement that they don't have the resources and support necessary to prevent the situations that tend to lead to seclusion and restraint. Many schools train educators on crisis management when what they really need is crisis prevention.

Educators need our support!

Join the Campaign