1. (1) Physical restraint may only be used when a student presents an immediate danger to self or others and when no other safe or effective intervention is available.
2. (2) A school employee may not use physical restraint as a means of discipline or punishment.

3. (3) When used consistently with the LEA policy under Section R277-608-3:

   1. (a) a physical restraint must be immediately terminated when:

      1. (i) A student is no longer an immediate danger to self or others; or
      2. (ii) A student is in severe distress; and
   2. (b) the use of physical restraint shall be for the minimum time necessary to ensure safety, as reasonably understood by the school employee, and a release criteria, as outlined in LEA policies, must be implemented.

4. (4) A school employee may not use physical restraint on a student for more than the shortest of the following before stopping, releasing, and reassessing the intervention used:

   1. (a) the amount of time described in the LEA's ESI training program;
   2. (b) 30 minutes; or
   3. (c) when law enforcement intervenes.

5. (5) If a school employee physically restrains a student, the school or the school employee shall provide notice immediately, and may not exceed 15 minutes after use.

   1. (a) The notice described in Subsection R277-608-5(5) shall be provided to:

      1. (i) the student's parent; and
      2. (ii) school administration.
6. (6) If a school employee physically restrains a student, the school or the school employee shall provide documentation of the physical restraint to the LEA's ESI committee described in Section R277-608-6, and the student's parent.
7. (7) A notice described in Subsection (5) shall be documented within the student information systems (SIS) records.
8. (8) Seclusion may only be used when a student presents an immediate danger to self or others and when no other safe or effective intervention is available.

9. (9) A school employee may not use seclusion:

   1. (a) as a behavioral intervention;
   2. (b) as a disciplinary practice;
   3. (c) for coercion, retaliation, or humiliation;
   4. (d) due to inadequate staffing; or
   5. (e) for the staff member's convenience.
10. (10) A school employee may not place a student in seclusion for more than 30 minutes, per occurrence.

11. (11) If a school employee uses seclusion, the school employee shall:

    1. (a) use the minimum time necessary to ensure safety, as reasonably understood by the school employee;
    2. (b) use release criteria outlined in LEA policies;
    3. (c) ensure that any door remains unlocked consistent with the fire and public safety requirements described in Rules R392-200 and R710-4;
    4. (d) ensure the student is observed at all times by personnel who have received the comprehensive ESI training; and
    5. (e) have used other less restrictive interventions before the use of seclusion.

12. (12) If a student is placed in seclusion, the school or the school employee shall provide notice immediately, and not to exceed 15 minutes after use to:

    1. (a) the student's parent; and
    2. (b) school administration.
13. (13) If a student is placed in seclusion, the school employee shall provide documentation of the seclusion to the LEA's ESI committee described in Section R277-608-6, and the student's parents.
14. (14) A notice described in Subsection (12) shall be documented within the student information systems (SIS) records.
15. (15) If a school employee uses any ESI, a school shall provide a parent with a copy of any notes or additional documentation, including a description of the physical space in which the seclusion occurred or the type of physical restraint that was used, taken during the use of the ESI upon request of the student's parent.
16. (16) Within 48 hours of the school using an ESI with a student, a school shall provide notice to a parent that the parent may request a copy of any notes or additional documentation taken during the use of the ESI.
17. (17) A parent may request a time to meet with school staff and administration to discuss the use of an ESI.

KEY: emergency safety interventions, corporal punishment

Date of Last Change: November 21, 2025

Notice of Continuation: June 28, 2022

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-401(4); 53G-8-301