Restraint and Seclusion Laws in Indiana
What are the restraint and seclusion rules in Indiana?
Indiana has specific statutory requirements governing the use of physical restraint and seclusion on students, codified in IC 20-20-40 and IC 20-20-40-13, with additional requirements in 511 IAC 7-44. Restraint and seclusion may only be used as a last resort safety procedure after other less restrictive options have failed, and only in situations of imminent risk of injury to the student or others (IC 20-20-40-13). Prone (face-down) restraint is explicitly prohibited in Indiana. Schools must notify parents on the same day any restraint or seclusion incident occurs. Any behavioral intervention must be consistent with the student's IEP if applicable. Schools must develop written Restraint and Seclusion Plans that prioritize prevention, positive behavioral intervention and support, and conflict de-escalation as primary strategies before restraint or seclusion is considered. Schools must provide recurrent training for staff on effective alternatives to restraint and seclusion, including safe use techniques when restraint or seclusion is necessary for imminent safety. Pursuant to 2024 Indiana legislation (P.L. 129-2024), school corporations were required to install electronic recording equipment in designated special education classrooms, seclusion areas, sensory rooms, and time-out areas by January 1, 2025. Incident reports are reviewed biannually by IDOE, which submits summary findings to the Commission on Seclusion and Restraint in Schools (IC 20-20-40-13.6).
What Indiana Requires
Restraint and seclusion may only be used as a last resort when there is imminent risk of injury and after less restrictive interventions have failed (IC 20-20-40-13).
Prone (face-down) restraint is explicitly prohibited under Indiana law (IC 20-20-40).
Parents must be notified on the same day any restraint or seclusion incident occurs (IC 20-20-40).
Any behavioral intervention, including restraint or seclusion, must be consistent with the student's IEP if applicable (IC 20-20-40-13).
Schools must develop written Restraint and Seclusion Plans prioritizing prevention, positive behavioral intervention and support, and conflict de-escalation (IC 20-20-40-13).
Electronic recording equipment must be installed in designated special education classrooms, seclusion areas, sensory rooms, and time-out areas — required by January 1, 2025 under P.L. 129-2024.
Incidents must be reported in the annual school performance report; IDOE reviews incident reports biannually and submits findings to the Commission on Seclusion and Restraint in Schools (IC 20-20-40-13; IC 20-20-40-13.6).
Key Timelines
Parents must be notified on the same day any restraint or seclusion incident occurs (IC 20-20-40).
Schools were required to install electronic recording equipment in special education areas, seclusion rooms, sensory rooms, and time-out areas by January 1, 2025 (P.L. 129-2024).
Restraint and seclusion incidents must be included in the annual school performance report (IC 20-20-40-13).
IDOE reviews incident reports biannually and submits findings to the Commission on Seclusion and Restraint in Schools (IC 20-20-40-13.6).