Bill to ban seclusion rooms heard in Colorado committee
DENVER (KDVR) — Should Colorado ban seclusion rooms used to isolate schoolchildren?
The debate is underway after a whistleblower triggered a Denver police investigation into administrators using a so-called “incarceration” room at McAuliffe International School last year. A Black student had reportedly been locked inside alone, against district policy.
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Now, one lawmaker is trying to ban seclusion rooms altogether. A bill heard in committee Wednesday evening has support from community members, but support among state lawmakers remains to be seen.
“If this bill about secluding and banning seclusion is a question, who are we?” MiDian Holmes, CEO of Epitome of Black Excellence Partnership, said ahead of the bill’s hearing in the House Education committee.
Community organizations advocating for students, especially students of color and those with disabilities, stood in support of the bill, calling for a ban on student seclusion in public and charter schools in Colorado.
“My thanks extends to the Honorable Auon’tai M. Anderson. It was at his request that I spearheaded this bill following the unsettling discovery of what was described by staff as an ‘incarceration room’ within Denver Public Schools,” said state Rep. Regina English, bill sponsor.
If the bill passes as written, the rooms would become a thing of the past in Colorado.
“Just to be clear, my bill is to ban the use of seclusion rooms. Seclusion is clearly defined in the bill as students being left alone, locked in a room and they have no way out,” English said.
Under the proposal, if a student needs to be secluded, an adult would have to be with them.
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Though community members are supportive, English is the lone sponsor of the measure. She said she is willing to make changes to get more backing.
“I’m definitely open to amendments,” English said ahead of the committee hearing. “We are definitely having more conversation around this particular piece of legislation because we all know as bills move forward to second reading, amendments happen on the floor all the time. So yes, I am open to that, and I’ve been having a lot of conversations with my colleagues and we all want what’s best for students.”
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Other bills looking to improve the way these rooms are used in Colorado have passed in recent years. Supporters said they want this bill to make it onto the floor for debate.
After three hours of committee debate on Wednesday, no vote was taken on the measure. Instead, the bill was laid over for action only. It will be taken up when the committee reconvenes at a later date.
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