Seclusion and Restraint

Do you have questions about when restraint or seclusion may be used at school? These emergency safety interventions are not discipline. Utah schools must follow specific requirements designed to protect students.

Physical restraint means using personal physical force to limit a student’s ability to freely move their arms, legs, body, or head. It is an emergency safety intervention, not a behavior-management strategy or punishment.

Restraint may be used only when a student’s behavior creates an immediate and significant threat of serious physical harm to the student or another person. Staff must use the least restrictive intervention needed, monitor the student closely, and stop as soon as the immediate danger ends or the student shows signs of severe distress.

Mechanical restraint and prone, or face-down, restraint are prohibited except in limited circumstances specifically allowed by law. School staff who may use emergency safety interventions must receive required training.

Seclusion is different from asking a student to take a break in a calming area they can leave. Seclusion generally means that school staff:

• place a student alone in an enclosed area;
• purposefully isolate the student from adults and peers; and
• prevent the student from leaving, or the student reasonably believes they cannot leave.

Under Utah’s current guidance, seclusion may be used only for a student in first grade or above and only when the student’s behavior creates an immediate and significant threat of serious physical harm. It must never be used as punishment, for staff convenience, or because of noncompliance alone.

During seclusion, staff must use the minimum time necessary to protect safety. The space must meet safety requirements, the student must be continuously observed, and the student must be released when the immediate threat ends.

Schools must document emergency safety interventions and notify a parent as required by Utah rules. After an incident, the school should review what happened and consider whether the student’s supports need to change. For a student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 plan, the family may ask the team to review the student’s needs, behavior supports, and plan.

Ask your school district or charter school for its current emergency safety intervention policy and complaint process. Keep copies of notices, incident reports, emails, and your own notes.

Restraint and seclusion are emergency measures of last resort. They may not be used as punishment or for disciplinary purposes. They must stop when the immediate and significant threat of serious physical harm has ended.

Utah requirements can change. Use the current Utah State Board of Education resources below and contact the Utah Parent Center if you would like help understanding your options.

2025 Least Restrictive Behavioral Interventions Technical Assistance Manual

The Utah State Board of Education’s current manual explains positive behavior supports, emergency safety interventions, restraint, seclusion, staff training, parent notification, documentation, and protections for students with disabilities.

Utah Administrative Rule R277-609

This current rule explains requirements for school district and charter school discipline policies, including positive behavior supports and emergency safety interventions.

USBE Behavior Support Resources

This Utah State Board of Education page includes the current LRBI Manual, emergency safety intervention information, frequently asked questions, and related resources for families and schools.

2025 U.S. Department of Education Letter

This letter emphasizes safe and supportive schools, positive and proactive approaches to behavior, and preventing the use of restraint and seclusion whenever possible.

Disability Rights: Discipline, Restraint, and Seclusion

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights explains how inappropriate discipline, restraint, or seclusion may raise concerns under federal disability discrimination laws.

Federal Restraint and Seclusion Resource Hub

This resource hub brings together current federal information, policies, guidance, and resources about restraint and seclusion in schools.

You do not have to sort through concerns about restraint, seclusion, behavior supports, or your child’s education plan alone. Utah Parent Center parent consultants offer free, individualized support to families across Utah.

5296 S Commerce Dr., Suite 302, Salt Lake City, UT 84107
Phone: 801.272.1051
Toll-Free in Utah: 1.800.468.1160
Email: info@utahparentcenter.org

This page was funded by a grant from Interagency Outreach Training Initiative at Utah State University’s Center for Persons with Disabilities.