HB 653-FN (2025): establishing a pilot program within the department of education to implement alternatives to restraint and seclusion of students.

HB 653-FN (2025)

establishing a pilot program within the department of education to implement alternatives to restraint and seclusion of students.

• Status: Died on the table
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Education Policy and Administration
• Senate committee: Education
• Subject: Education - General

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the House Education Policy and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 19, 2025, with 144 people signed in online: 137 in support and 7 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 10, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 17–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 20, 2025 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 20, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Education committee. The committee held public hearings on April 1, 2025 and April 8, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-1625s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-1625s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 1, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On May 1, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 8–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it. On May 15, 2025 the Senate voted to lay it on the table on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. James Gray. On May 15, 2025 the Senate adopted the motion that it ought to pass on a voice vote, but its third reading was left pending. The bill died on the table under Senate Rule 3-23 on October 31, 2025, having been set aside and never taken back up.

Sponsors

• Rep. Peter Petrigno (D - Hills 43) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Cassandra Levesque (D - Straf 4)
• Sen. Debra Altschiller (D - SD24)
• Rep. Debra DeSimone (R - Rock 18)
• Rep. Jodi Nelson (R - Rock 13)
• Sen. Pat Long (D - SD20)
• Rep. Alicia Gregg (D - Hills 7)
• Rep. Mark Pearson (R - Rock 34)
• Sen. Tim McGough (R - SD11)
• Rep. Gaby Grossman (D - Rock 11)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 19, 2025, 1:00 PM: public hearing, House Education Policy and Administration, LOB 205-207
• March 10, 2025, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Education Policy and Administration, LOB 205-207
• March 20, 2025: consent calendar, House
• April 1, 2025, 9:45 AM: hearing, Senate Education, LOB 101
• April 8, 2025, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Education, LOB 101
• May 1, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
• May 15, 2025: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 20, 2025, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 1, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1625s — voice vote, passed
• May 15, 2025, Senate: Laid on Table — voice vote, passed
• May 15, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 15
• SC 16
• SC 19
• SC 21A