Tomorrow, the Washington State Senate Early Learning & K‑12 Education Committee will hold a public hearing on ESHB 1795, a narrow but critical, cost‑neutral bill addressing restraint and isolation in public schools. This is a key moment for families, educators, students, and community members to make their voices heard.
Every child in Washington deserves to learn in a safe, supportive, and dignified environment. ESHB 1795 will not end isolation yet, but it moves the state meaningfully in the right direction and keeps the door open for stronger protections in future sessions
What ESHB 1795 Does
This bill is intentionally narrow so it can move forward in a year when almost nothing with a fiscal note is advancing. It is simple, pragmatic, and focused on preventing the most dangerous practices, at no additional cost to the state.
ESHB 1795 would:
- State a clear intent to eliminate isolation over time in Washington schools by prohibiting the construction of new isolation rooms.
- Prohibit mechanical and chemical restraints, and any restraint that interferes with breathing or blood circulation.
- Continue the Restraint Reduction & Isolation Elimination Demonstration Sites project, which is already funded and cost‑neutral, so districts can learn from schools successfully reducing restraint and eliminating isolation.
The bill does not change current law about when isolation can be used, and it does not require new spending. It is a small, vital step that focuses on stopping the most dangerous practices and supporting schools that are already leading the way on safer, trauma‑informed approaches.
Why Your Voice Matters Now
Many House members have had extensive education on this issue. The Senate has not, and there is still considerable confusion about what restraint and isolation are, and are not.
Your testimony can help Senators understand that:
- Restraint and isolation are not discipline or punishment. They are crisis responses, most often used with students who are already in distress.
- Isolation is not detention or in‑school suspension. It is the practice of confining a student alone in a room or space from which they cannot leave, typically during a trauma response or behavioral crisis.
- Reduction and elimination are possible. Districts in Washington and around the country have dramatically reduced restraints and dismantled isolation rooms by focusing on prevention, de‑escalation, and relationship‑based supports.
- When schools reduce restraint and isolation, they often see unexpected benefits: more instructional time, improved teacher satisfaction, better school climate, stronger family engagement, and fewer suspensions, expulsions, and disciplinary incidents.
We will not solve everything in one bill, but passing ESHB 1795 is a crucial step forward that would prevent life‑threatening restraints.
How to Participate in Tomorrow’s Hearing
You can testify in person, remotely via Zoom, or submit written testimony to be part of the record.
Sign in for the Hearing using the Washington Legislature’s online sign‑in system.
If speaking, draft a short statement ahead of time. Consider preparing versions that are 30 seconds, 1 minute, and 2–3 minutes, since time limits can change. In your testimony, start by introducing yourself and thanking the Chair and Committee. Clearly state that you support ESHB 1795 and briefly explain why it matters to you.
Together, We Can Move Washington Forward
ESHB 1795 is not the final destination on restraint and isolation in Washington State, but it is an essential, cost‑neutral step that will save lives, reduce harm, and strengthen schools’ capacity to support students in crisis. By showing up at tomorrow’s hearing in person, online, or in writing, you help send a clear message: Washington’s students deserve safety, dignity, and connection—and we are ready to move forward, starting now.
