Ohio

“Mechanical restraint” means any method of restricting a student’s freedom of movement, physical activity, or normal use of the student’s body by using an appliance or device manufactured for this purpose; but does not mean a device used by trained student personnel, or used by a student, for the specific and approved therapeutic or safety purpose for which the device was designed and, if applicable, prescribed, including: (a) restraints for medical immobilization; (b) adaptive devices or mechanical supports used to allow greater freedom of mobility than would be possible without the use of such devices or mechanical supports; or (c) vehicle safety restraints when used as intended during the transport of a student in a moving vehicle.

“Physical restraint” means the use of physical contact in a way that immobilizes or reduces the ability of an individual to move the individual’s arms, legs, body, or head freely. The term does not include a physical escort, mechanical restraint, or chemical restraint. Physical restraint also does not include brief physical contact for the following or similar purposes: to break up a fight; to knock a weapon away from a student’s possession; to calm or comfort; to assist a student in completing a task or response if the student does not resist the contact; or to prevent imminent risk of injury to the student or others.

“Chemical restraint” means a drug or medication used to control a student’s behavior or restrict freedom of movement. Chemical restraint is prohibited by school districts in accordance with paragraph (D) of this rule. Chemical restraint, as used under this rule, does not apply to a drug or medication that is: (a) prescribed by a licensed physician, or other qualified health professional acting under the scope of the professional’s authority under Ohio law, for the standard treatment of a student’s medical or psychiatric condition; and (b) administered as prescribed by the licensed physician or other qualified health professional acting under the scope of the professional’s authority under Ohio law.

"Timeout" means a behavior intervention in which a student, for a limited and specified time, is separated from the class within the classroom or in a non-locked setting for the purpose of self-regulating and controlling his or her own behavior. In a timeout, the student is not physically restrained or prevented from leaving the area by physical barriers.

"Seclusion" means the involuntary isolation of a student in a room, enclosure, or space from which the student is prevented from leaving by physical restraint or by a closed door or other physical barrier.

Is not locked; does not prevent the student from exiting the area should staff become incapacitated or leave the area; and provides adequate space, lighting, ventilation, and the ability to observe the student.

Physical restraint may be used only:(a) If a student's behavior poses an immediate risk of physical harm to the student or others and no other safe or effective method of intervention is available;(b) If the physical restraint does not obstruct the student's ability to breathe;(c) If the physical restraint does not interfere with the student's ability to communicate in the student's primary language or mode of communication; and(d) By student personnel who are trained in safe restraint techniques, except in the case of rare and unavoidable emergency situations when trained personnel are not immediately available.

Mechanical Restraint is prohibited.

Chemical Restraint is prohibited.

(2) Except as set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection, the use of seclusion is not considered reasonable force, and its use is not permitted.

Corporal Punishment is prohibited.

In a timeout, the student is not physically restrained or prevented from leaving the area by physical barriers.

Yes

Any incident of seclusion or restraint shall be immediately reported to building administration and the parent and also be documented in a written report that is issued to the parent immediately or within twenty-four hours.

Not specified.

All incidents of restraint and seclusion must be reported.

A school district shall annually report information regarding its use of restraint and seclusion to the Ohio department of education in the form and manner as prescribed by the department.

Annual reports are due to the Dept of Education between May and August of each school year.

No public link available.

Public and private schools.

A school district shall ensure that an appropriate number of personnel in each building are trained annually in evidence-based crisis management and de-escalation techniques, as well as the safe use of physical restraint and seclusion. The minimum training requirements are as follows:(a) Proactive measures to prevent the use of seclusion or restraint;(b) Crisis management;(c) Documentation and communication about the restraint or seclusion with appropriate parties;(d) The safe use of restraint and seclusion;(e) Instruction and accommodation for age and body size diversity;(f) Directions for monitoring signs of distress during and following physical control;(g) Debriefing practices and procedures;(h) Face-to-face training;(i) Allow for a simulated experience of administering and receiving physical restraint; and(j) Ensure that participants will demonstrate proficiency in items described in paragraphs (H)(1)(a) to (H)(1)(i) of this rule.