Keeping All Students Safe Act
Sponsored By: Senator Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would prohibit seclusion and many forms of physical, mechanical, and chemical restraint in programs that receive federal funds, with special protections for students with disabilities. It would also require state plans, training and certification, public incident reporting, grants for positive behavioral supports, and give parents a private right of action.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Clear definitions of restraints and staff
This bill would define key terms such as chemical restraint, mechanical restraint, physical restraint, and physical escort. It would also define who counts as program personnel and make clear that law enforcement officers and school security guards are not counted as program personnel. These definitions would guide what practices are banned and who must follow the new rules.
Federal grants to states for safer schools
This bill would let the Department of Education award 3-year grants to states starting in fiscal year 2026. States could give subgrants to school districts to fund training, schoolwide positive behavioral supports, mental health services, restorative practices, crisis de-escalation, and data collection. States getting grants would have to evaluate progress at the end of each 3-year award and publish the report on the SEA website. Private school personnel could take part only after consultation and under public agency control.
State reporting and oversight for schools
This bill would require each state education agency to submit a State plan within two years and every year after. States would publicly post plans for at least 60 days and reply to written comments. States would also prepare annual public reports for every district and school on restraint and seclusion, with counts and detailed breakdowns by race, disability status, injury, and other categories while protecting student privacy. States would monitor restraint use, hold semiannual discussions with school leaders, and make annual site visits to special education schools.
Rapid injury notice and advocacy access
This bill would require schools and Head Start agencies to send written notice within 24 hours if a student is injured or dies in connection with seclusion or restraint. The notice would go to the state agency or HHS, local law enforcement, and the protection and advocacy system. The school would have to provide information the advocacy system needs, and that system would get investigatory authorities to help the student.
Federal study of restraint practices
This bill would require the Secretary of Education to carry out a national assessment of how well the Act works. The study would analyze restraint and seclusion data, identify the most effective programs and trainings, and emphasize non-physical interventions. An interim report would be due three years after enactment and a final report five years after enactment.
Military and tribal schools must comply
This bill would require the Secretaries of the Interior and Defense to make regulations so schools they operate or fund follow the same reporting and State plan requirements. That would include Department of Defense Education Activity schools and other military-dependent schools.
Private and homeschool rules clarified
This bill would say it does not apply to private schools that receive no federal support and do not serve students who receive federal support. It would also say home schools and parents who teach at home are not treated as program personnel under the Act.
School police arrest powers preserved
This bill would not prevent a sworn law enforcement officer with probable cause from arresting a student for violating criminal law, subject to other limits in the Act. It therefore preserves existing arrest authority while the bill separately restricts certain school restraint and seclusion practices.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
CT • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
VT • I
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
WA • D
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]
PA • D
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
VA • D
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
WI • D
Sponsored 1/28/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov