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HB 1688 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Expanded school restraint and seclusion rules

AI-generated

expanding 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
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. 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.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mike DragoRPrimeMajority Whip

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.…”
— Marissa Berg, Concord · Community Support Network, Inc.opposes
“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.…”
— Kirsten Burke, Ctr Tuftnboroopposes
“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.…”
— JoAnn Sheehan, Nashuaopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-02-0910:00 amHouse Education Policy and AdministrationGP 232Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 1 P. 31
  2. Feb 9, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/09/2026 01:30 pm GP 232
  3. Feb 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2026 01:30 pm GP 232
  4. Feb 18, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/18/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 9 P. 11
  5. 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.