H.B. 4247 Passes U.S. House

H.B. 4247, Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act, passed the house on Wednesday on a primarily party line vote.  This act would set up federal standards on use of restraints and seclusion on children. In particular, these two techniques would only be allowed in case of a student injuring himself or others.

I would not be comfortable standing aside while a student dented my new car under H.B. 4247, but too often petty destructive acts were an excuse for excessive force. Yes, in certain ways H.B. 4247 goes too far, but it's written in response to poor decisions by school personnel that injured or even killed children.

Arkansas Democratic Congressmen Mike Ross, Vic Snyder, and Marion Berry all voted in favor of the bill. Both Snyder and Berry are retiring this year. Republican and Senate Candidate John Boozman voted against H.B. 4247.