Kirsten Burke

I am writing to formally express my opposition to HB 1688. I am deeply concerned that this bill expands the use of restraint and alters the legal definition of seclusion in a way that may reduce transparency and weaken parental rights. Any change that limits or obscures when a child has been forcibly removed from a classroom or isolated from peers raises serious red flags for families. Parents have a fundamental right to be notified when restraint or seclusion is used on their child. Redefining these practices risks creating loopholes that delay or eliminate notification altogether. That is not acceptable. These are serious interventions, not routine classroom management tools. Additionally, extensive research and lived experience show that restraint and seclusion can be damaging to children, particularly those with disabilities, behavioral challenges, or a history of trauma. These practices can escalate fear, increase anxiety, and cause long-term emotional harm rather than addressing the underlying needs of the child. Our schools should prioritize de-escalation, trauma-informed practices, and family communication, not expand coercive measures or reduce accountability. Any policy involving restraint or seclusion should move toward stricter limits, clearer definitions, and stronger parental notification requirements, not the opposite. For these reasons, I respectfully urge you to oppose HB 1688. Thank you for your time and for considering the voices of parents and families.