NH House Testimony

HB653

House · 2025 sessionBipartisanKilled in Senate

Restraint and seclusion alternatives pilot

AI

Establishes a pilot program within the department of education to implement alternatives to the restraint and seclusion of students.

establishing a pilot program within the department of education to implement alternatives to restraint and seclusion of students.

Education - GeneralChildren

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · November 3, 2025
  1. Introduced
  2. House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Division of testimony

144 submissions
Support 137Oppose 7Neutral 0
John PetitSupportLitchfield, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

School district staff would greatly benefit from the evidence based alternatives to restraint and seclusion provided by the NH DOE through technical assistance, professional development and training. This proposed pilot program would demonstrate effective ways to manage difficult behavior. I support HB653. Please vote Ought to Pass! Thank you.

Rina PetitSupportLitchfield, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

HB653 is a really good bill. Please vote Ought to Pass! School district staff would greatly benefit from the evidence based alternatives to restraint and seclusion provided by the NH DOE through technical assistance, professional development and training for school staff. A pilot program is a great way to demonstrate effective ways to manage difficult behavior. I support thHB653 and hope the committee will too!

Cherie HagenSupportDerry, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

I support this bill because as studies have shown even in adult prison populations restraint and seclusion is extremely harmful and not at all rehabilitative. To allow this to be done to our children in schools is completely unacceptable. If we as parents were to do this to our children at home Surely the department of social services would be investigating. Our school should be safe places for children where positive reinforcement is taught

Joline ManseauSupportHollis, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

People need to be able to take care of family members who are mentally ill. By taking away family medical leave, this would make it difficult if not impossible to help these families and individuals who are affected by mental illness. Why should mental illness be any different from someone suffering from another illness? This is a cruel bill.

Leane GarlandSupportHanover, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

This is an excellent idea. Research has developed many less-harmful and abusive alternatives to restraint and seclusion. With proper training and consultation, a pilot program could demonstrate the most effective means of managing difficult behavior and helping students to learn to control their own behavior effectively. Ought to Pass.

Deborah BrussSupportConcord, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

Our schools need to have as many tools as possible in dealing with children who are physically out of control. Often, restraint, which can increase trauma, is not the best option. Individual schools and districts don't have the resources to devise alternatives to restraint on their own. The Department of Education needs to share these resources with all schools.

Sandy BlanchardSupportLoudon, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

We need to be kind to all of God's creatures!

Sharon RacusinSupportHanover, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

I support this bi-partisan bill. Sounds humane.

Nancy MilesSupportHanover, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

Alternatives to restraint and seclusion are desirable since seclusion and restraint can be harmful to children..

Stacie PickfordSupportJaffrey, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

Restraints are outdated and I had the unfortunate experience of witnessing the damage restraints can do to youth , and I personally was a victim of isolation while in youth detention centers. We want to create positive changes and outcomes for the futures of our children, not hold them back with outdated and damaging practices that will lead to increased trauma.

Amy RandallSupportSpofford, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

As a dedicated educator and to ensure an adequate teaching and learning environment for all students and to ensure equal rights of all students, I support this bill.

David HoltSupportSOMERSWORTH, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Jessica GerriorSupportDurham, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Laura PetersonSupportDerry, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Virginia CliffordSupportConcord, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Margaret KonzeSupportPembroke, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Anita MathurSupportDurham, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Liza PoinierSupportConcord, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Teresa RosenbergerSupportConcord, NHfor NH Brain Injury AssociationFeb 19, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Giana GelseySupportMadbury, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Tabor BrowderSupportConcord, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Bianca GentilSupportConcord, NHfor WaypointFeb 19, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Robert RobicsekSupportLONDONDERRY, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Amanda O'BrienSupportDERRY, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.

Rachel KennonSupportRochester, NHfor MyselfFeb 19, 2025

Position recorded without written comment.