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HB 653 · 2025 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Restraint and seclusion alternatives pilot

AI-generated

establishing a pilot program within the department of education to implement alternatives to restraint and seclusion of students.

Establishes a pilot program within the department of education to implement alternatives to the restraint and seclusion of students.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · November 3, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a pilot program within the department of education to implement alternatives to restraint and seclusion of students.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the Senate. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“There shall be established the safe schools pilot project within the department of education to develop an evidence-based practice model for alternatives to restraint and seclusion of students.”
Section 1
“The pilot project shall provide technical assistance, professional development, and training for school staff in evidence-based alternatives to restraint and seclusion that focuses on problem-solving and skill development.”
Section 1
“Programs shall have a designation of "evidence-based" provided by a national clearinghouse used by the New Hampshire Children's Behavioral Health Resource Center.”
Section 1
““Evidence-based alternatives to restraint and seclusion” programs shall be problem-solving focused; skill-development focused; collaborative as between educators and students; trauma-informed; proactive; and non-punitive.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Peter PetrignoDPrimeRanking Member· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Debra DeSimoneRChair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Gaby GrossmanDDeputy Ranking Member· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Jodi NelsonRClerk· Children and Family Law

Also: Rep. Alicia GreggD, Rep. Cassandra LevesqueD, Rep. Mark PearsonR, Sen. Debra AltschillerD, Sen. Pat LongD, Sen. Tim McGoughR

Public testimony

144 signed in online · 11 wrote testimony

95% support5% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“As a dedicated educator and to ensure an adequate teaching and learning environment for all students and to ensure equal rights of all students, I support this bill.”
— Amy Randall, Spoffordsupports
“Alternatives to restraint and seclusion are desirable since seclusion and restraint can be harmful to children..”
— Nancy Miles, Hanoversupports
“Our schools need to have as many tools as possible in dealing with children who are physically out of control. Often, restraint, which can increase trauma, is not the best option.…”
— Deborah Bruss, Concordsupports

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 10, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass17–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 20, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 1, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1625s5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 1, 2025SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2025-1625sadopted
  • May 1, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1625sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 15, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass8–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 15, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 15, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Gray Moved Laid on Tableadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 19, 2025Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration4:17:00–4:29:3612m 36slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 10, 2025Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration4:33:36–4:34:441m 8slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Executive Session
  • Mar 20, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 1, 2025Public hearingSenate EducationWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full stream==RECESSED== Hearing
  • Apr 8, 2025Public hearingSenate Education29:05–30:181m 13slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 1, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1625s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1625s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-1625s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 15, 2025Floor debateSenate floor3:41:37–3:43:221m 45slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Sen. Gray Moved Laid on Table — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 3 P. 21
  2. Feb 19, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/19/2025 01:00 pm LOB 205-207
  3. Mar 10, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/10/2025 01:00 pm LOB 205-207
  4. Mar 10, 2025House: Ought to Pass 03/10/2025 (Vote 17-0; CC)
  5. Mar 20, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 10
  6. Mar 20, 2025SenIntroduced 03/20/2025 and Referred to Education; SJ 9
  7. Apr 1, 2025Sen==RECESSED== Hearing: 04/01/2025, Room 101, LOB, 09:45 am; SC 15
  8. Apr 8, 2025SenHearing: 04/08/2025, Room 101, LOB, 09:30 am; SC 16
  9. May 1, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1625s, 05/01/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 19
  10. May 1, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-1625s, AA, VV; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
  11. May 1, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1625s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
  12. May 15, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/15/2025, Vote 8-0; SC 21A
  13. May 15, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  14. May 15, 2025SenSen. Gray Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  15. May 15, 2025SenPending Motion OT3rdg; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  16. Oct 31, 2025SenInexpedient to Legislate, Senate Rule 3-23, 10/31/2025; SJ 1

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.