A Democratic bill with 16 Democratic cosponsors · See all 17 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Keeping All Students Safe Act" aims to prohibit unlawful seclusion and certain types of restraint in schools and programs receiving Federal financial assistance. It specifically bans mechanical, chemical, and dangerous physical restraints that restrict breathing or blood flow. The bill establishes strict requirements for the use of physical restraint, limiting it to situations of imminent danger of serious physical injury. It also mandates training through State-approved crisis intervention programs and requires specific notification procedures for parents after an incident. Additionally, the Act provides for state grants to assist educational agencies in implementing these safety policies and improving school culture.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +9
Would children be better off under this?
The bill enhances safety for students by prohibiting life-threatening and unlawful restraints.
- Scored +9
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill specifically safeguards students with disabilities from harmful restraint practices.
- Scored +8
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?
The bill protects students with disabilities from unlawful seclusion and dangerous physical restraints.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this make it easier to use public money at a school other than the local one?
The bill imposes new regulatory requirements and potential financial penalties on programs receiving federal assistance.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection from Dangerous Physical Harm: The bill prohibits physical restraints that are life-threatening, restrict breathing, or restrict blood flow to the brain (Section 101(b)(1)(D)).
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Prevention of Unlawful Seclusion: The Act prohibits the use of unlawful seclusion, which is defined as the involuntary confinement of a student alone in a room or area from which they are physically prevented from leaving (Section 101(a) and Section 2(12)).
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Rights for Parents and Students: A private right of action is established, allowing students or their parents to file civil actions in Federal or State court for declaratory, injunctive, or compensatory relief if unlawful seclusion or restraint occurs (Section 101(c)(1)).
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Improved Safety Through Training: The bill requires schools to use personnel trained in evidence-based techniques, such as de-escalation and positive behavioral interventions, to help prevent the need for physical restraint (Section 101(e)(1) and Section 2(15)).
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Increased Transparency and Accountability: Schools must follow specific procedures after a restraint incident, including providing immediate verbal or electronic communication and written notification to parents within 24 hours (Section 101(e)(4)(A)).
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Support for School Climate: Grants are authorized to help states implement mental health supports, restorative justice programs, and trauma-informed care to improve school culture (Section 203(a)(1)(C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Burden on Programs: The Secretary is authorized to withhold payments from programs that violate the prohibitions on unlawful seclusion or restraint (Section 101(d)(2) and Section 101(d)(3)(C)).
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Liability Concerns for Programs: While individual personnel are protected from liability, the Act states that no program shall be immune from suit under the Eleventh Amendment for violations (Section 101(c)(2) and Section 101(c)(3)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill enhances safety for students by prohibiting life-threatening and unlawful restraints. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill specifically safeguards students with disabilities from harmful restraint practices. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides protections for students in programs like Head Start that often serve low-income families.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill protects students with disabilities from unlawful seclusion and dangerous physical restraints.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires states to submit and make public annual reports on restraint and seclusion incidents.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill authorizes grants to improve school mental health supports.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill authorizes appropriations to fund state grants and national assessments.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make it easier to use public money at a school other than the local one? — The bill imposes new regulatory requirements and potential financial penalties on programs receiving federal assistance.
- 4/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/11/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 15 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts