Michigan Advocates to End Seclusion and Restraint
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:
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Trauma training for educators with clearance to use restraint holds
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Seclusion & Restraint definitions aligned with federal definitions
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Updated Guidance, excessive use of restraint defined & requires reduction
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Publicly available data expanded to include grade, race, & gender
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Threshold for use of restraint raised to "imminent risk of serious bodily harm"
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Seclusion prohibited in all circumstances
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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
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Seclusion and restraint are outdated interventions that came from a time when much less was understood about the developing brain, the neuroscience of behavior, trauma, and before current, more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.
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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
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
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.
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!
Get Involved
Are you interested in getting more involved in creating safe schools without seclusion and restraint? Here are a few ideas:
