Restraint and Seclusion Laws in Ohio
What are the restraint and seclusion rules in Ohio?
Ohio regulates the use of physical restraint and seclusion in schools under OAC 3301-35-15 and ORC 3319.46. Physical restraint is defined as physical contact that immobilizes or reduces a student's ability to move arms, legs, body, or head freely; seclusion is the involuntary isolation of a student in a room or enclosure from which the student is prevented from leaving. Ohio prohibits prone restraints (face-down positioning), restraints that obstruct the airway or communication, and any technique using knees to the torso, head, or neck. Locked seclusion rooms are prohibited. Both interventions may only be used when a student poses an immediate risk of physical harm, no safer alternative exists, and trained staff have first attempted de-escalation. After the third incident of restraint or seclusion in a school year for a student with an IEP or 504 plan, the IEP or 504 team must convene within 10 school days to review or develop a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) or Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP).
What Ohio Requires
Physical restraint and seclusion are permitted only when a student poses an immediate risk of physical harm to self or others, no safer alternative is available, and de-escalation has been attempted (OAC 3301-35-15).
Prone restraints (face-down), restraints blocking the airway or communication, pressure-point or pain-compliance techniques, and locked seclusion rooms are all explicitly prohibited in Ohio schools (OAC 3301-35-15).
Continuous supervision of the student is required for the duration of any restraint or seclusion, and the intervention must be ended at the earliest possible time (OAC 3301-35-15).
Building administration must be notified immediately; parents must be notified on the same day or within 24 hours of any restraint or seclusion incident, followed by a written incident report (OAC 3301-35-15).
After the third incident of restraint or seclusion in a school year for a student with an IEP or 504 plan, the team must convene within 10 school days to consider conducting or revising an FBA or BIP (OAC 3301-35-15).
Only staff trained in safe physical management techniques approved by the district may administer restraint or seclusion; chemical and mechanical restraints are prohibited in all circumstances (OAC 3301-35-15).
Districts must annually report aggregate restraint and seclusion data to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (OAC 3301-35-15; ORC 3319.46).
Key Timelines
Same-day or within 24 hours: parent notification of any restraint or seclusion incident (OAC 3301-35-15).
Within 10 school days of the third incident in a school year: IEP or 504 team must meet to review or develop FBA/BIP (OAC 3301-35-15).
Annually: districts must report restraint and seclusion data to ODEW (OAC 3301-35-15).