Physical Restraint of Students

Posted Date: 05/27/2020

PHYSICAL RESTRAINT OF STUDENTS
State law forbids school employees from using corporal punishment against any student.  Certain actions by school employees are not considered corporal punishment.  Additionally, school employees may use “reasonable and necessary force, not designed or intended to cause pain” to do certain things such as prevent harm to persons or property.

State law also places limits on school employees’ abilities to restrain or confine and detain any student.  The law limits why, how, where, and for how long a school employee may restrain or confine and detain a child.  If a child is restrained or confined and detained, the school must maintain documentation and must provide certain types of notice to the child’s parent.

If you have any questions about this state law, please contact your building principal.  The complete text of the law and additional information is available on the Iowa Department of Education’s website.