Keeping All Students Safe Act (KASSA) (Federal)

The Keeping All Students Safe Act (KASSA) - H.R. 6617 / S. 3448 - will protect students in public school from the harsh and dangerous practices of seclusion and restraint.

These practices are used thousands of times per school day nationwide and cause thousands of injuries to students and staff members each year. Furthermore, seclusion and restraint are applied to Black and Brown students and students with disabilities at alarmingly higher rates. 

In the latest data (U.S. ED 21-22), during every minute of the school year more than 5 physical restraints or seclusions are used on students. And, 4 out of 5 of those are used on students with disabilities.

Despite the mounting research showing the emotional, psychological, and physical harm caused by seclusion and restraint there is no federal law regulating or prohibiting the practices in schools.

Restraint and seclusion do not enhance safety, are not therapeutic, and are not crisis prevention strategies. It's time to ban the use of seclusion and limit the use of restraint to true emergencies. Our kids deserve it.