Bill > SB0181

This bill amends existing law to establish minimum safety standards for seclusion rooms in schools, defining seclusion as the involuntary confinement of a student alone in a room from which they are physically prevented from leaving, and requiring these rooms to meet specific physical, lighting, ventilation, and safety requirements, including continuous monitoring capabilities and audio-visual recording. It also creates a one-time grant program, funded by a $2.5 million appropriation, to help local education agencies (LEAs) modify existing seclusion rooms to comply with these new standards, with priority given to LEAs demonstrating significant safety deficiencies or a commitment to alternatives to seclusion. The bill mandates that all existing seclusion rooms must comply with these standards by July 1, 2028, and requires LEAs to report their compliance status and plans to the state board. Furthermore, it clarifies the conditions under which seclusion can be used as an emergency safety intervention, emphasizing that it should only be used when a student poses an immediate and significant threat and less restrictive interventions have failed, and it also outlines penalties for violations, including potential referral to law enforcement and professional disciplinary bodies for severe infractions.

Education

https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SB0181.html