Restraint and Seclusion

As the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) works to create a world-class public education system, it recognizes that a key component of this work is safe and healthy learning environments. MSDE fully supports the use of positive proactive behavioral interventions and strategies to address challenging student behavior, with a focus on keeping students in the classroom and available for learning. 

On December 30, 2021, Mohammed Choudhury, State Superintendent of Schools, issued a press release in response to the illegal and discriminatory use of restraint and seclusion. The Superintendent made clear that the illegal and inappropriate use of restraint and seclusion in any school is unacceptable, and he immediately formed an intra-department workgroup to develop an action plan to tackle this important issue. Subsequently, during the 2022 legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly passed House Bill 1255 “Physical Restraint and Seclusion – Limitations, Reporting, and Training” (Education Article § 7-1101 et seq) which amended and expanded the law governing the use of restraint and seclusion in public schools, public agencies, and publicly funded nonpublic schools.

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document provides local education agencies (LEAs), public agencies, and nonpublic schools with additional guidance regarding the implementation of the physical restraint and seclusion statute (Md. Code, Education § 7-1101 et seq). This document will be updated, as needed.

The Process Guide provides timelines, forms, and other information to support LEAs, PAs, and publicly funded nonpublic schools in fulfilling the requirements of Education Article § 7-1101 et seq. 

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance and resources to local education agencies (LEAs), public agencies (PAs), and publicly funded nonpublic schools to implement current State law and regulations, including restricting the use of restraint and eliminating the use of seclusion in all but publicly funded nonpublic schools.  

MSDE developed this document in collaboration with stakeholders to provide direction regarding the new statute and to guide LEAs, PAs, and publicly funded nonpublic schools in the revision and implementation of local policies, procedures, and practices. 

MSDE continues to provide technical assistance and support in the operationalization and implementation of Education Article § 7-1101 et seq.  

This technical assistance session reviewed the changes in the statute and introduced the required forms. Forms included in this technical assistance session may have been updated, please see the most recent version.  

This technical assistance session reviewed the online submission process for the excessive use of restraint and/or seclusion as well as updates to the required forms. Forms included in this technical assistance session may have been updated, please see the most recent version. 

This manual provides LEAs, public agencies, and nonpublic schools guidance on completing the Annual Data Collection regarding the use of physical restraint and seclusion in the 2022-2023 school year. This document is used in coordination with the Restraint and Seclusion Implementation Guide released by MSDE in January 2023.

Assistant State Superintendent of Student Support, Academic Enrichment, & Educational Policy
Office: (410) 767-0275
mary.gable@maryland.gov