Beginning January 2016 revisions to the DESE Restraint
Regulations, 603 CMR 46.00 are required to be implemented across the
commonwealth. The Regulations apply not only at school but also at
school-sponsored events and activities, whether or not on school
property. Changes include:
* Revised definitions of restraint;
* Addition of the definition of “time-out”;
* New prohibitions on the use of prone restraint;
* Revised/additional reporting requirements after restraint has been
used.
The updated School Committee Policy can be found on the MPSD
website.
In addition, information for parents that include the following
are available in the updated school handbooks:
• Methods of preventing student violence, self-injurious behavior,
and suicide including crisis planning and de-escalation of potentially dangerous
behaviors among groups of students or individuals.
• Descriptions and explanations of alternatives to
physical restraint as well as the school’s method of physical restraint for use
in emergency situations.
• Methods for engaging parents in discussions
about restraint prevention and use of restraint solely as an emergency
procedure.
