HF 598 (LSB 2087YH (8) 87)

HOUSE FILE 598

BY  MASCHER

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the establishment of a restrictive behavioral interventions task force.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS TASK FORCE.
   1.  The department of education shall convene a task force on the use of restrictive procedures, including seclusion, on students in Iowa’s school districts. The task force shall, at a minimum, review the department’s administrative rules and guidance relating to physical confinement, detention, and physical restraint; data on how often restrictive procedures are used in Iowa’s school districts and the circumstances that lead to such use; whether or not the students on whom such procedures are used have an individualized education program; the students’ ages and other data useful in identifying risk factors within the student population affected; positive, evidence-based behavioral interventions and procedures; and schoolwide evidence-based training programs and support relating to conflict prevention and management. The task force shall recommend changes relating to the department’s administrative rules, guidance, and the Code of Iowa as appropriate.
   2.  The voting members of the task force shall consist of education stakeholders, including but not limited to two parents, one of whom shall be the parent of a child with an individualized education program.
   3.  In addition to the voting members of the task force, the membership shall include four legislators as ex officio, nonvoting members. The members shall be appointed as follows:
   a.  Two members of the senate, one of whom shall be appointed by the majority leader of the senate and one of whom shall be appointed by the majority leader of the senate after consultation with the minority leader of the senate.
   b.  Two members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house and one of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house after consultation with the minority leader of the house.
   4.  The task force shall submit its findings and recommendations to the general assembly by January 15, 2018.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill directs the department of education to convene a task force on the use of restrictive procedures, including seclusion, on students in Iowa’s school districts. The task force shall, at a minimum, review the department’s rules and guidance relating to physical confinement, detention, and physical restraint; data on the use of restrictive procedures and the circumstances that lead to such use; data useful in identifying risk factors within the student population affected; positive, evidence-based behavioral interventions and procedures; and schoolwide evidence-based training programs and support relating to conflict prevention and management. 
   The voting members of the task force shall consist of education stakeholders, including but not limited to two parents, one of whom shall be the parent of a child with an individualized education program. There shall also be four ex officio, nonvoting legislative members. The task force shall submit its findings and recommendations to the general assembly by January 15, 2018.