Many Floridians (most) are not aware that children with “exceptionalities” or disabilities, are frequently placed in seclusion and restrained at their respected schools and State Senator Lauren Book, who first introduced a bill in late 2020 to prohibit the practice of seclusion and restraints, believes that this issue will be addressed in the upcoming legislative session.
Sen. Book, who is focused on addressing a litany of children's issues, told The Floridian that the Florida Legislature was “going to get it done this year” and that most people did not know that “children with exceptionalities can be secluded into a room by themselves all day,” adding that “nonverbal children students” are often restrained in a” supine restraint straitjackets jackets.”
Yes, there are public schools that manage children with disabilities by putting them into straitjackets.
“Students deserve to be safe at school, and parents deserve peace of mind,” says Senator Book. “While the majority of our special education school professionals provide caring and safe learning environments for students with disabilities, we have unfortunately seen serious abuses committed as well. This bill will ensure students with disabilities are not placed into dangerous situations including seclusion and restraint while in Florida classrooms.”
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Book wants to implement a pilot program where cameras are placed in classrooms with these children with exceptionalities, and ban “seclusion and restraints of children.”
“If you can imagine being a nonverbal child and being secluded in a room locked in a room all by yourself for hours at a time because there is nothing that regulates any of that,” said Book.
Book is also focused on revamping the antiquated Baker and Marchman Acts and has filed SB 828, a bill that would “compassionately and effectively providing care for individuals in crisis.’
‘It’s long past time the State of Florida modernized the Baker and Marchman Acts,” said Book. “
