Restraint and Seclusion Laws in Connecticut
What are the restraint and seclusion rules in Connecticut?
Connecticut has a detailed statutory framework governing the use of physical restraint and seclusion in schools under Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46a-150 through 46a-154 (the 'Behavior Management' statutes) and implementing regulations under Conn. Agencies Regs. § 46a-150-1 through § 46a-154-1, administered by the Connecticut Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities. Physical restraint in schools is additionally governed by CSDE regulations. Under Connecticut law: (1) Physical restraint may be used only in emergency situations when necessary to protect the student or others from immediate physical harm; (2) Restraint must be the least restrictive effective intervention; (3) Prone (face-down) restraint is prohibited except in specific, limited circumstances and only by specially trained staff; (4) Seclusion (confinement in a room from which the student is physically prevented from leaving) is permitted only in genuine emergencies when a student poses an imminent risk of physical harm; (5) Schools must notify parents or guardians as soon as possible after any use of restraint or seclusion; and (6) Schools must maintain records and submit reports to CSDE. Connecticut requires annual training for staff who may use restraint and requires documentation of each incident including the behavior precipitating the restraint, the type of restraint used, staff involved, duration, and student's physical condition.
What Connecticut Requires
Physical restraint may be used only in genuine emergency situations to protect the student or others from immediate physical harm and must be the least restrictive effective intervention (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-153).
Prone (face-down) restraint is prohibited except in extremely limited circumstances defined by regulation and only by staff with specific training (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 46a-153-1).
Seclusion is permitted only when a student poses an imminent risk of physical harm, must be continuously monitored, and cannot be used as punishment, discipline, or a convenience measure (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-153; Conn. Agencies Regs. § 46a-153-1).
Schools must notify parents or guardians as soon as possible — within the same school day when possible — after any use of physical restraint or seclusion (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-153b).
Written incident reports documenting each use of restraint or seclusion must be completed and filed; schools must maintain records and report data to CSDE annually (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-153b; Conn. Agencies Regs. § 46a-153-1).
Staff who may use restraint must receive annual training in positive behavioral supports, de-escalation techniques, and safe restraint procedures (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 46a-153-1).
Key Timelines
Parent notification: as soon as possible, within the same school day when practicable, after any use of restraint or seclusion (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-153b).
Written incident report: must be completed and provided to parents within a reasonable time after the incident (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 46a-153-1).
Annual staff training in restraint and de-escalation is required for staff authorized to use restraint (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 46a-153-1).
Annual reporting of restraint and seclusion data to CSDE is required (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-153b).