Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4247, the Keeping All Students Safe Act.  As a cosponsor, I am pleased that for the first time this bipartisan legislation will protect all children in schools from harmful uses of restraint and seclusion.

The need for this legislation was highlighted by a recent GAO report that found hundreds of cases of schoolchildren being abused as a result of inappropriate uses of restraint and seclusion, often involving untrained staff.  One of these cases included a locked isolation room in a Rhode Island school basement.  This room was used to restrict a student who was deemed overly aggressive and another who showed “undesired” behavior.  This bill will provide the proper guidance to ensure that our schools and educators are treating children appropriately. 

I have been a strong advocate in Congress to educate colleagues on the value that individuals with developmental disabilities can bring to society with the right system of support.  This bill represents an important step in ensuring that these children are treated fairly and given the opportunities they deserve to succeed in school.  I look forward to continuing our work to make sure children with developmental disabilities receive the care they need to reach their full potential.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I yield back my time.