Restraint and Emergency Seclusion Reporting Procedures

Prevention of Physical Restraint and Emergency Seclusion Requirements and Data Collection Tool

Amended by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on December 16, 2014, effective January 1, 2016, and further amended in June 2025 with provisions effective August 17, 2026, the online Restraint and Emergency Seclusion Data Collection Tool helps districts meet the data collection and reporting requirements reporting requirements established of 603 Code of Massachusetts Regulations CMR 46.00 Prevention of Physical Restraint and Requirements if Used. This application collects all information on the use of physical restraints and emergency seclusion on all students in a publicly funded elementary and secondary education program, including all Massachusetts public schools, charter schools, virtual schools, collaborative education program, and the school day of special education schools approved under 603 Code of Massachusetts Regulations CMR 28.09, as provided in 603 Code of Massachusetts Regulations CMR 18.00.

Physical restraint and emergency seclusion are subject to specific regulatory requirements regarding prevention, documentation, notification, review, oversight, and reporting. Emergency seclusion is prohibited except in a crisis situation and as a last resort on an individual student basis and only when all requirements set forth in 603 Code of Massachusetts Regulations CMR 46.07 are met.

The Restraint and Emergency Seclusion Data Collection Tools in the Security Portal are used to document and report incidents occurring during the school day. If you do not have access to the Security Portal, please contact your Directory Administrator.

Note: A State Assigned Student Identifier (SASID) is required for each student entered into either application. If a student does not have a State Assigned Student Identifier SASID, one must be assigned before the restraint or emergency seclusion incident can be entered into the application.

All incidents of physical restraints and emergency seclusions are encouraged to be reported to the Department in real time. If the incident results in an injury to a student or program staff member, the incident must be reported to the Department within three school/working days. At the end of every school year, on or before June 30^th, all data must be certified that it is complete and accurate for both physical restraints and emergency seclusions (even if 0 occurred).

Resources

• Restraint Data Entry Updates in Security Portal

• Prevention of Physical Restraint and Requirements if Used (603 Code of Massachusetts Regulations CMR 46.00) Online Learning Tool

• Updated Overview of Physical Restraint Requirements

• School and District Profiles — Student Restraints Report

• Restraint Form Sample

• Restraint Form- Floor Prone Sample

• Guidance on Time-Out Practices and Implementation of Amendments to 603 Code of Massachusetts Regulations CMR 46.00 and 603 Code of Massachusetts Regulations CMR 18.00

• Special Education Policy Memo SY2025-2026 Required Reporting on the Use of Seclusion and Emergency Seclusion

• Frequently Asked Questions FAQ on the Use of Emergency Seclusion

• Emergency Seclusion Reporting Reference Guide

For additional information or assistance regarding physical restraints, please contact restraint@mass.gov .

For additional information or assistance regarding emergency seclusions, please contact specialeducation@mass.gov .

Last Updated: July 29, 2026