Under this act, the school disciple policy shall reserve confining a student in seclusion for situations or conditions in which there is imminent danger of physical harm to self or others. "Seclusion" shall mean the involuntary confinement of a student alone or in a room or area that the student is physically prevented from leaving. "Seclusion" shall not include a timeout, in-school suspension, or detention.

Current law requires the local board of education of each school district to adopt a written policy that comprehensively addresses the use of restrictive behavioral interventions as a form of discipline or behavior management technique. Under this act, prior to July 1, 2021, each written policy shall be updated to state that the school district, charter school, or publicly contracted private provider will reserve restraint or seclusion for situations or conditions in which there is imminent danger of physical harm to self or others. Each school district, charter school, and publicly contracted private provider shall also ensure that the policy includes certain requirements set forth in the act.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall compile and maintain all incidents reported under this act, in the Department's core data system, and shall make such data available on the Missouri comprehensive data system. No personally identifiable data shall be accessible on the database.

This act is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 528 (2020) and SCS/HCS/HB 1540 (2020), and is similar to HB 1569 (2020).

JOSIE BUTLER