The 2015 legislative session in Virginia begins tomorrow. This is a “short” session, meaning that the legislature plans to be in session for 45 days, rather than the 60 days of the “long” session.
We will be monitoring and supporting legislation that requires the state Department of Education to develop regulations concerning the use of restraints in public schools. HB 1443 (Richard Bell) and SB 782 (Favola) are bills promoted by the Commission on Youth. The bills require the regulations to include definitions, criteria for use, restrictions for use, training requirements, notification requirements, reporting requirements, and follow-up requirements when seclusion or restraint are used. Under the proposed bills, the regulations must address distinctions in emotional and physical development and must be based on the Fifteen Principles contained in the U.S. Department of Education’s Restraint and Seclusion Resource Document.
The disAbility law Center of Virginia will be monitoring developments in the legislature that may be of interest to people with disabilities. We are available to educate policy makers about the potential impact of legislative proposals. Please let us know of any legislative proposals or budget issues that you think we should be following. Contact us at info@dlcv.org or by calling 1-800-552-3962 or 804-225-2042.
The mission of the disAbility Law Center of Virginia is, through zealous and effective advocacy and legal representation, to protect and advance the legal, human and civil rights of people with disabilities, to combat and prevent abuse, neglect and discrimination, and to promote independence, choice and self-determination by persons with disabilities.