Back to States

Wisconsin

Seclusion & Restraint Laws in Schools

Last updated: 2020-03-04 00:00:00

At a Glance — Banned Practices

Seclusion / Isolation Not Banned
Prone Restraint Banned
Supine Restraint Not Banned
Mechanical Restraint Banned
Chemical Restraint Banned
Corporal Punishment Partial

Definitions

Mechanical Restraint
Not defined in Wisconsin 118.305: Use of seclusion and physical restraint.
Physical Restraint
“Physical restraint” means a restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a pupil to freely move his or her torso, arms, legs, or head.
Chemical Restraint
Not defined in Wisconsin 118.305: Use of seclusion and physical restraint.
Time-Out
Not defined in Wisconsin 118.305: Use of seclusion and physical restraint.
Seclusion / Isolation
“Seclusion” means the involuntary confinement of a pupil, apart from other pupils, in a room or area from which the pupil is physically prevented from leaving.
Corporal Punishment
“Corporal punishment” means the intentional infliction of physical pain which is used as a means of discipline. “Corporal punishment” includes, but is not limited to, paddling, slapping or prolonged maintenance of physically painful positions, when used as a means of discipline. “Corporal punishment” does not include actions consistent with an individualized education program developed under s. 115.787 or reasonable physical activities associated with athletic training.
Seclusion Room Requirements
The room or area in which the pupil is secluded is free of objects or fixtures that may injure the pupil. No door connecting the room or area in which the pupil is secluded to other rooms or areas is capable of being locked or has a lock on it.

Criteria for Use

Physical Restraint
Physical restraint; conditions for use. A covered individual may use physical restraint on a pupil at school only if all of the following apply: (a) The pupil’s behavior presents a clear, present, and imminent risk to the physical safety of the pupil or others and it is the least restrictive intervention feasible. (b) There are no medical contraindications to its use. (c) The degree of force used and the duration of the physical restraint do not exceed the degree and duration that are reasonable and necessary to resolve the clear, present, and imminent risk to the physical safety of the pupil or others. (d) None of the following maneuvers or techniques are used: 1. Those that do not give adequate attention and care to protecting the pupil’s head. 2. Those that cause chest compression by placing pressure or weight on the pupil’s chest, lungs, sternum, diaphragm, back, or abdomen. 3. Those that place pressure or weight on the pupil’s neck or throat, on an artery, or on the back of the pupil’s head or neck, or that otherwise obstruct the pupil’s circulation or breathing. 4. Those that place the pupil in a prone position. (e) It does not constitute corporal punishment, as defined in s. 118.31 (1). (f) The covered individual does not use a mechanical or chemical restraint on the pupil. None of the following constitutes the use of a mechanical restraint: 1. The use of supportive equipment to properly align a pupil’s body, assist a pupil to maintain balance, or assist a pupil’s mobility, under the direction and oversight of appropriate medical or therapeutic staff. 2. The use of vehicle safety restraints when used as intended during the transport of a pupil in a moving vehicle.
Mechanical Restraint
There is no criterion defined in Wisconsin 118.305: Use of seclusion and physical restraint.
Chemical Restraint
There is no criterion defined in Wisconsin 118.305: Use of seclusion and physical restraint.
Seclusion / Isolation
Seclusion; conditions for use. A covered individual may use seclusion on a pupil at school only if all of the following apply: (a) The pupil’s behavior presents a clear, present, and imminent risk to the physical safety of the pupil or others and it is the least restrictive intervention feasible. (b) A covered individual maintains constant supervision of the pupil, either by remaining in the room or area with the pupil or by observing the pupil through a window that allows the covered individual to see the pupil at all times. (c) The room or area in which the pupil is secluded is free of objects or fixtures that may injure the pupil. (d) The pupil has adequate access to bathroom facilities, drinking water, necessary medication, and regularly scheduled meals. (e) The duration of the seclusion is only as long as necessary to resolve the clear, present, and imminent risk to the physical safety of the pupil or others. (f) No door connecting the room or area in which the pupil is secluded to other rooms or areas is capable of being locked or has a lock on it.
Corporal Punishment
Except as provided in sub. (3), no official, employee, or agent of a school board may subject a pupil enrolled in the school district to corporal punishment. Subsection (3) does not prohibit an official, employee, or agent of a school board from: (a) Using reasonable and necessary force to quell a disturbance or prevent an act that threatens physical injury to any person. (b) Using reasonable and necessary force to obtain possession of a weapon or other dangerous object within a pupil’s control. (c) Using reasonable and necessary force for the purpose of self-defense or the defense of others under s. 939.48. (d) Using reasonable and necessary force for the protection of property under s. 939.49. (e) Using reasonable and necessary force to remove a disruptive pupil from a school premises or motor vehicle, as defined in s. 125.09 (2) (a) 1. and 4., or from school-sponsored activities. (f) Using reasonable and necessary force to prevent a pupil from inflicting harm on himself or herself. (g) Using reasonable and necessary force to protect the safety of others. (h) Using incidental, minor, or reasonable physical contact designed to maintain order and control.
Time-Out
There is no criterion defined in Wisconsin 118.305: Use of seclusion and physical restraint.

Notifications & Reporting

Parent / Guardian Notification Required?
Yes
Notification Timeline
Notification and reporting following use of seclusion or physical restraint. (a) Whenever a covered individual or a law enforcement officer uses seclusion or physical restraint on a pupil at school, the school principal or his or her designee shall do all of the following: 1. As soon as practicable, but no later than one business day after the incident, notify the pupil’s parent of the incident and of the availability of the written report under subd. 2. 2. Within 2 business days after the incident and after consulting with the covered individuals and any law enforcement officers present during the incident, prepare a written report containing all of the following information: a. The pupil’s name. b. The date, time, and duration of the use of seclusion or physical restraint. c. A description of the incident, including a description of the actions of the pupil before, during, and after the incident. d. The names and titles of the covered individuals and any law enforcement officers present during the incident. 3. Meet with the covered individuals who participated in the incident to discuss all of the following: a. The events preceding, during, and following the use of the seclusion or physical restraint. b. How to prevent the need for seclusion or physical restraint, including the factors that may have contributed to the escalation of behaviors; alternatives to physical restraint, such as de-escalation techniques and possible interventions; and other strategies that the school principal or designee determines are appropriate. (b) The school principal or his or her designee shall retain a report prepared under par. (a) 2. and shall, within 3 business days of the incident, do one of the following: 1. Send the report to the pupil’s parent by 1st class mail or by electronic transmission. 2. Hand deliver the report to the pupil’s parent.
Incident Reporting Requirements
1. The number of incidents of seclusion in the school during the previous school year. 2. The total number of pupils who were involved in the incidents of seclusion reported under subd. 1. 3. The number of children with disabilities who were involved in the incidents of seclusion reported under subd. 1. 4. The number of incidents of physical restraint in the school during the previous school year. 5. The total number of pupils who were involved in the incidents of physical restraint reported under subd. 4. 6. The number of children with disabilities who were involved in the incidents of physical restraint reported under subd. 4.
Reporting Timeline
Annually by December 1, each governing body that receives a report under par. (c) shall submit to the state superintendent a report that contains the information under par. (c) for each school under the governing body’s charge.
Annual Reporting Requirements
Annually by October 1, the principal of each school or his or her designee shall submit to the governing body a report containing all of the following: 1. The number of incidents of seclusion in the school during the previous school year. 2. The total number of pupils who were involved in the incidents of seclusion reported under subd. 1. 3. The number of children with disabilities who were involved in the incidents of seclusion reported under subd. 1. 4. The number of incidents of physical restraint in the school during the previous school year. 5. The total number of pupils who were involved in the incidents of physical restraint reported under subd. 4. 6. The number of children with disabilities who were involved in the incidents of physical restraint reported under subd. 4. (cm) Annually by December 1, each governing body that receives a report under par. (c) shall submit to the state superintendent a report that contains the information under par. (c) for each school under the governing body’s charge. (d) Whenever a covered individual or a law enforcement officer uses seclusion or physical restraint on an LEA placed pupil at a private school, the administrator of the private school or his or her designee shall do all of the following: 1. As soon as practicable, but no later than one business day after the incident, notify the LEA placed pupil’s parent and the local educational agency of the incident and of the availability of the written report under subd. 2. 2. Within 2 business days after the incident and after consulting with the covered individuals and any law enforcement officers present during the incident, prepare a written report containing all of the following information: a. The LEA placed pupil’s name. b. The date, time, and duration of the use of seclusion or physical restraint. c. A description of the incident, including a description of the actions of the pupil before, during, and after the incident. d. The names and titles of the covered individuals and any law enforcement officers who were present during the incident. (e) An administrator of a private school or his or her designee shall retain a report prepared under par. (d) 2. and shall within 3 business days of the incident do one of the following: 1. Send the report by 1st class mail or by electronic transmission to the LEA placed pupil’s parent and to the local educational agency. 2. Hand deliver the report to the LEA placed pupil’s parent and to the local educational agency.
Annual Reporting Timeline
Annually by December 1, each governing body that receives a report under par. (c) shall submit to the state superintendent a report that contains the information under par. (c) for each school under the governing body’s charge.
Where Annual Reports are Published
https://dpi.wi.gov/sped/topics/seclusion-restraint

Scope of Coverage

Scope of Coverage
Public school, including a charter school, and a private school participating in the program under s. 115.7915.

Training Requirements

Staff Training Requirements
Except as provided in par. (c), no covered individual may use physical restraint on a pupil at school unless he or she has received training that includes all of the following components: 1f. Evidence-based instruction related to positive behavioral supports and interventions, safe physical escort, understanding antecedents, de-escalation, conflict prevention, and conflict management. 1m. Evidence-based techniques, including debriefing, that have been shown to prevent or reduce the use of physical restraint. 2. An identification and description of dangerous behavior that may indicate the need for physical restraint and methods of evaluating risk of harm in order to determine whether physical restraint is warranted. 4. Instruction regarding the effects of physical restraint on the person restrained, in monitoring signs of physical distress, and in obtaining medical assistance. 5. Instruction in documenting and reporting incidents of physical restraint. 6. A requirement that the trainee demonstrate his or her ability to identify prohibited techniques in administering physical restraint. (b) The governing body shall ensure that all of the following apply in each school that it operates in which physical restraint is used: 1. At least one covered individual has received training under par. (a). 2. The school maintains a record of the training received by the covered individual under par. (a), including the period during which the training is considered valid by the entity that trained the covered individual. (c) A covered individual who has not received training under par. (a) may use physical restraint on a pupil at school only in an emergency and only if a covered individual who has received training under par. (a) is not immediately available due to the unforeseen nature of the emergency.
The state law information on this site was initially collected from public government websites in 2026. We have made our best effort to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the information, but laws and regulations can change, and updates may not always be reflected immediately. If you notice any incorrect or outdated information, please contact us at info@endseclusion.org.
© 2026 Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint · All rights reserved
base44
Edit with Base44