Lawmakers propose bill clarifying what physical restraint New Mexico educators can use
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – When students exude behavioral issues, teachers don't always know how to appropriately use physical restraint and seclusion tactics. Now, lawmakers are proposing a bill that gives educators clear rules and training.
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Currently, there is a law surrounding how teachers can respond to student behavioral problems, but educators say it's confusing. They say they hope this new bill will clarify those issues.
'There's no good situation in which restraint ends up occurring and schools were also using it as a disciplinary tactic which should never been the case,' said Michelle Tregembo with the Developmental Disabilities Council.
Questions around whether students who are acting out should be physically restrained or put in a room by themselves, have divided New Mexico educators for years. Now a group of Democratic lawmakers want more details around when and which tactics should be used.
'This is going to help us have clear guidelines. Sometimes we're even afraid to respond to situations where we know the safety of the students is at risk because we don't know what to do,' said Representative Yanira Gurrola, (D-Albuquerque).
The bill defines what types of restraints can be used but also bans certain actions like secluding students or using mechanical restraints to limit arm and leg movement. The bill would also require new school training on physical restraint and mandatory alerts to parents when it's used.
New Mexico's AFT Union president said she supports widespread training. 'I like that this kind of broadens that, it's not one or two point people because if anything goes wrong and they're not on campus that day; that's how we get some of these unwanted responses and so I think there's a more deliberate approach to the training,' said Whitney Hollard, American Federation of Teachers-New Mexico.
The state's Developmental Disabilities Council said special ed students are typically affected by restraint and seclusion policies more often. They think the bill could lead to positive change. 'Schools are much more than just places to learn reading, writing, and math and so we need to ensure that the teachers have the tool kit that they need in order to be a learning environment for all children,' said Tregembo.
The New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Council also said there are some changes they want to see in the bill, including a stronger explanation of the types of student seclusion that the bill is aiming to eliminate. The bill is expected to be heard in a house committee Friday morning.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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