Loading....

ACTION NEEDED: KEEPING ALL STUDENTS SAFE ACT (KASSA)

The Keeping All Students Safe Act (KASSA) was introduced in both the Senate and House for this Congressional session on May 26, 2021. It was introduced in the Senate by Senator Murphy (D-CT) with cosponsor Senator Murray (D-WA), and introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Beyer (D-VA) with Rep. Scott (D-VA) and Rep. McEachin (D-VA) as cosponsors. It is very similar to prior versions of the bills. KASSA would make it illegal for any school receiving federal funds to seclude a child or use dangerous restraint practices that restrict breathing, such as prone or supine restraint. The bill would also prohibit schools from physically restraining children, except when necessary to protect students and staff. Lastly, the bill would better equip school personnel with the training they need to address school-expected behavior with evidence-based proactive strategies.

According to the 2018 Civil Rights Data Collection, of the students restrained or secluded, 78 percent were students with disabilities. Although Black students comprise 15 percent of the student population, they represent 22 percent of students subjected to seclusion and 34 percent of students subjected to mechanical restraint (the use of a physical device to restrict the movement of a student.) You can get more information about the restraint and seclusion issue at https://www.stophurtingkids.com/. You can see the bills and the latest list of cosponsors at the following links. The link for the Senate bill (S. 1858) is at https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1858 and the link for the House bill (H.R. 3474) is at https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3474.

We need you to contact your Senators and Representatives to urge them to cosponsor and pass the Senate and House KASSA bills! Before contacting your elected officials, please check the cosponsor lists for each bill at the links above so you know whether to ask them to become a cosponsor or thank them if they have already done so.

Call your Members of Congress:

Call the Capitol Switchboard at: (202) 224-3121 (voice) or (202) 224-3091(tty) and ask to be connected to your Senators.
You can use this easy tool to find your members of Congress.

Thank you for your advocacy efforts!

The NDSC Policy & Advocacy Team

We encourage you to stay engaged in our advocacy efforts by: (1) Registering for NDSC Action Alerts- click "Quick Sign Up"; (2) Subscribing to the NDSC Policy & Advocacy Newsline; (3) Joining our national grassroots advocacy program, the National Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition and (4) "liking" NDSC Policy & Advocacy on social media .

Easy Call Script

Hello, this is [Name]. I’m a resident of [Town, State].

I am calling to ask [Senator’s or Representative’s Name] to please cosponsor and vote to pass the Keeping All Students Safe Act [for the Senate S.1858 and for the House H.R. 3774].

This critical bill would make it illegal for any school receiving federal funds to seclude a child or use dangerous restraint practices that restrict breathing, such as prone or supine restraint. The bill would also prohibit schools from physically restraining children, except when there is eminent danger of serious physical injury to the student or to school staff.

This bill will also help states establish minimum safety standards for all children and provide funding for training of school personnel. Together, this helps ensure equal opportunity and full participation in school for students with disabilities, including students of color, who are disproportionately subjected to restraint and seclusion.

The Keeping All Students Safe Act will help prevent future abuse and neglect in our nation’s schools. Please cosponsor and pass the bill. Learn more at www.stophurtingkids.com.

[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address and zip code to ensure your call is tallied]

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

Address, line 1*

City*

State*

Zip Code*

I'd like to receive updates from this organization

Take Action

ACTION NEEDED: KEEPING ALL STUDENTS SAFE ACT (KASSA)

Keeping All Students Safe Act (KASSA)

Subject: Keeping All Students Safe Act (KASSA)

Message:

Please co-sponsor and vote to pass the Keeping All Students Safe Act [for the Senate S.1858 and for the House H.R. 3774].<br>This critical bill would make it illegal for any school receiving federal funds to seclude a child or use dangerous restraint practices that restrict breathing, such as prone or supine restraint. The bill would also prohibit schools from physically restraining children, except when there is eminent danger of serious physical injury to the student or to school staff. <br>This bill will also help states establish minimum safety standards for all children and provide funding for training of school personnel. Together, this helps  ensure equal opportunity and full participation in school for students with disabilities, including students of color, who are disproportionately subjected to restraint and seclusion.<br>The Keeping All Students Safe Act will help prevent future abuse and neglect in our nation’s schools. Please co-sponsor and pass the bill. Learn more at www.stophurtingkids.com.

Characters remaining: