The purpose of this memorandum is to remind school districts, charter and career/technical schools, educational collaboratives, approved special education schools, and other interested parties of the implementation resources available to support the amendments to 603 Code of Massachusetts Regulations CMR 46.00 and 603 Code of Massachusetts Regulations CMR 18.00, which became effective on August 17, 2026. These resources are intended to help schools and programs strengthen local systems, build staff capacity, and implement practices that reduce, and ultimately eliminate, the use of seclusion.
In June 2025, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education amended 603 Code of Massachusetts Regulations CMR 46.00, Prevention of Physical Restraint and Requirements If Used, and 603 Code of Massachusetts Regulations CMR 18.00, Program and Safety Standards for Approved Public or Private Day and Residential Special Education School Programs. The amended regulations reinforce that seclusion is prohibited except in limited emergency situations when all regulatory requirements are met.
The Department recognizes that achieving this goal requires more than regulatory compliance. Reducing, and ultimately eliminating, the use of seclusion depends on schools and programs establishing proactive systems that emphasize prevention, early intervention, effective behavioral support, and relationship-based practices. To that end, the Department developed and updated a comprehensive set of implementation resources to support schools, districts, and programs in building the knowledge, practices, and local structures necessary to successfully implement the amended regulations and reduce and eliminate the use of seclusion by preventing situations from escalating to the point where emergency seclusion may be considered.
School, district, and program leaders are expected to review these resources with administrators and staff as part of their implementation planning and ongoing efforts to strengthen preventative, student-centered practices while ensuring compliance with the amended regulations.
Questions regarding the implementation of the amended regulations and related resources may be directed to specialeducation@mass.gov .
Last Updated: August 21, 2026