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Advocates Push Lawmakers To Ban Seclusion, Limit Restraint Of Students In 2021 Legislative Session

A school zone in Tallahassee
Valerie Crowder
/
WFSU News
A school zone in Tallahassee

The Children's Campaign wants Florida lawmakers to draft a bill that would limit when restraints can be used on students and ban seclusion in schools. The campaign's Danielle Bromfield says restraint and seclusion practices can traumatize children.

"If you're six years old, already experiencing an emotional crisis, being locked in a room against your will for an extended amount of time without the ability to leave, you're experiencing emotional trauma," Bromfield says.

Bromfield's group says restraint and seclusion practices disproportionately impact children with disabilities. The Children's Campaign is pushing lawmakers to consider the issue in the upcoming legislative session.

"After the newly elected legislators convene in Tallahassee in November, we will reach out to those heroes who have championed these reforms in the past and go about adding to their ranks," Campaign President Roy Miller says.

He's hoping people who have a child with disabilities will advocate alongside the Children's Campaign to end seclusion and limit restraints on students.

Robbie Gaffney graduated from Florida State University with degrees in Digital Media Production and Creative Writing. Before working at WFSU, they recorded FSU’s basketball and baseball games for Seminole Productions as well as interned for the PBS Station in Largo, Florida. Robbie loves playing video games such as Shadow of the Colossus, Animal Crossing, and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. Their other hobbies include sleeping and watching anime.