Restraints | Behavioral Interventions

NYSED Resources

Protecting the health and safety of its students is one of each school's primary responsibilities. Each school's code of conduct, discipline, and behavioral interventions must be developed consistent with NYSED Title 8 of the New York Code of Rules and Regulations (8 NYCRR) 1§100.2(l) that promote the use of positive behavioral supports and interventions and prohibit or limit the use of certain types of behavioral interventions for students.

In January 2024, an amendment was made to NYCRR §§19.5 and §100.2, §200.1, §200.7, §200.15, and §200.22 (NYSED 1/2024) in relation to the prohibition of corporal punishment, aversive interventions, prone restraint and seclusion, permitted use of timeout and restraint; and data collection.    

The amended regulations:

    • Prohibit the use of corporal punishment, aversive interventions, prone restraint, and seclusion;
    • Authorize the limited use of timeout and physical restraint;
    • Establish new annual data reporting requirements relating to corporal punishment, aversive interventions, seclusion, timeout, and physical restraint; and
    • Conform Part 200 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to students with disabilities to the new requirements on the use of timeout and physical restraints.

NYS Education Department Special Education Page

United States Department of Education

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools: Resource Document
Outlines 15 guiding principles to help ensure that schools are safe and healthy learning environments for all students.  This document does not set forth any new requirements, does not create or confer any rights for or on any person, or requires specific actions by any state, locality, or school district.

Fact Sheet: Restraint and Seclusion of Students with Disabilities
This guidance letter and series of questions and answers, issued by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), inform school districts how the use of restraint and seclusion may result in discrimination against students with disabilities in violation of Federal laws that prohibit disability discrimination, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

See Also:

Page Updated 2/2/24