Restraint and Seclusion Laws in Kansas
What are the restraint and seclusion rules in Kansas?
Kansas has comprehensive restraint and seclusion regulations for students in school settings under K.S.A. 72-6147 (the Safe Schools Act, as amended) and KSDE's associated rules and guidelines. Kansas law restricts the use of physical restraint and seclusion in schools and requires parent notification following any use of restraint or seclusion. Under K.S.A. 72-6147, physical restraint may only be used when a student poses an imminent danger of serious physical harm to self or others, and only as long as necessary to prevent the harm. Seclusion (placing a student alone in a locked room or space) is prohibited in Kansas for students with disabilities. Prone (face-down) restraint is also prohibited. Schools must notify parents on the same day that any restraint is used and provide a written report within two school days. Restraint incidents must be documented and reported to KSDE. The IEP team must convene if a student with a disability is restrained three or more times within 30 days, or if the cumulative duration of restraints in a school year triggers review (K.S.A. 72-6147; KSDE Restraint and Seclusion Guidelines). KSDE has published specific guidance documents on allowable restraint practices.
What Kansas Requires
Physical restraint may be used only when a student poses an imminent danger of serious physical harm to themselves or others, and only as long as necessary to resolve the emergency (K.S.A. 72-6147).
Seclusion — placing a student alone in a locked room or space — is prohibited in Kansas (K.S.A. 72-6147; KSDE Restraint and Seclusion Guidelines).
Prone (face-down) restraint is prohibited in Kansas schools (K.S.A. 72-6147; KSDE Restraint and Seclusion Guidelines).
Parents must be notified on the same day any restraint is used, and a written report must be provided within two school days (K.S.A. 72-6147).
All restraint incidents must be documented and reported to KSDE, and records must be maintained (K.S.A. 72-6147).
The IEP team must convene if a student is restrained three or more times within 30 days, or if the cumulative duration of restraints triggers a review threshold (K.S.A. 72-6147; KSDE Guidelines).
Key Timelines
Parent notification required on the same day of any restraint use (K.S.A. 72-6147).
Written restraint report must be provided to parents within two school days (K.S.A. 72-6147).
IEP team must convene within a specified timeframe (typically within 10 school days) when the three-restraints-in-30-days threshold is triggered (K.S.A. 72-6147; KSDE Guidelines).