This afternoon, the House passed H.R. 4247, formerly known as “Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act” in a vote of 262-153. The bill seeks to create Federal standards that limit the use of restraints and seclusions on children in schools receiving Federal funding.
On suspension of the House rules, the House took up floor debate of HR 4247, successfully renamed via amendment to “Keeping All Kids Safe Act.” Member speeches given during debate in opposition to the bill fell along three general themes – that there is insufficient data of the problem; that the issue is best left to the states for action; and that the authorized appropriations language “as may be necessary,” though paired with a cost estimate, is too ambiguous given the current Federal deficit. There were also objections to the procedural tools used to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.
The House bill will next travel to the Senate HELP Committee for consideration. The Senate companion bill to H.R. 4247 has not received Committee attention to date.
To view the roll call of the vote, go to: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll082.xml
YEAS
NAYS
NV
DEMOCRATIC
238
8
7
REPUBLICAN
24
145
9
INDEPENDENT
TOTALS
262
153
16
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