HB 1688 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee
Expanded school restraint and seclusion rules
AI-generatedexpanding the circumstances where the restraint is permitted in schools and treatment facilities and modifying the definition of seclusion.
Expands the circumstances under which restraint is permitted in schools and treatment facilities and modifies the definition of seclusion to exclude involuntary separation of a child from a stressful environment.AI-generated
Status
Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 5, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill expands the circumstances where restraint is permitted in schools and treatment facilities. The bill also modifies the definition of seclusion by making the involuntary separation of a child from a stressful environment an exception to the definition.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
In the bill's words
Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site
“A circumstance may be considered seclusion even if a window or other device for visual observation is present, if the other elements of this definition are satisfied.”
“Restraint shall only be used in a school or facility to ensure the immediate physical safety of persons when there is [a substantial and] an imminent risk of [serious] bodily harm to the child or others.”
“The determination of whether the use of restraint is justified under this section may be made with consideration of all relevant circumstances, including whether continued acts of violence by a child to inflict damage to property will create a [substantial] risk of [serious] bodily harm to the child or others.”
“Restraint shall be used only by trained personnel using extreme caution when all other interventions have failed or have been deemed inappropriate.”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
Public testimony
189 signed in online · 42 wrote testimony
1% support99% oppose0% neutral
In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“Community Support Network, Inc - NH's association of Developmental Service Area Agencies - wishes to express opposition to the proposed bill HB1688. The involuntary removal of a child from an environment - including children with disabilities - can be exceptionally traumatic.…”
“I am writing to formally express my opposition to HB 1688. I am deeply concerned that this bill expands the use of restraint and alters the legal definition of seclusion in a way that may reduce transparency and weaken parental rights.…”
“I am opposed to HB1688 because it lowers the threshold for using restraint on children while narrowing what is legally considered seclusion by expanding staff discretion and reducing oversight and reporting requirements.…”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Votes
yeanay- Feb 18, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate16–0Overall100% yea
- Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted
Hearings and debates
- Feb 9, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration3:30:33–3:32:061m 33slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
- Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote
Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.
Legislative history
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 1 P. 31
- Feb 9, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/09/2026 01:30 pm GP 232
- Feb 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2026 01:30 pm GP 232
- Feb 18, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/18/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 9 P. 11
- Mar 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 12
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.