Maine School Leaders Push for New Restraint Measures Amid Rise in Student Violence

If you remember a few years ago, Maine increased the threshold on what restraint and seclusion measures school officials in the Pine Tree State could lawfully use on misbehaving students.

However, just a few short years later, many in Maine are saying the threshold increase simply isn't working to handle some 'out of control' and even 'violent' students. Now, a democratic Maine lawmaker has proposed a bill to expand that threshold yet again- though some aren't so sure about it.

Recently, Maine legislator Holly Sargent, introduced a new bill (LD1248) which would, in part, expand the types of situations that teachers and school administrators could utilize restraint and seclusion methods on certain students, the Kennebec Journal reported.

According to the KJ, the newly proposed piece of legislation would lower the threshold making it easier for school staff to utilize these safety measures. As it stands right now, these tactics can be used when a situation presents “imminent danger of serious physical injury”.

Under Sargent's bill, the threshold would move to state “imminent danger of injury”, removing the 'serious' aspect from the previous threshold. And while many school officials across the state agree, some staff and parents aren't so sure.

Victoria Duguay, principal of River View Community School in MSAD 11, told the Kennebec Journal in part,

“Over time this erodes the sense of psychological safety that is critical for all students to thrive and learn. When verbal interventions and environmental supports fail, a trained, calm and compassionate physical escort to a quiet and designated safe room allows staff to deescalate the student away from public view.”

The newspaper reported that Gorham Superintendent, Heather Perry, submitted testimony in writing with her view on the proposal. Her words read in part,

“These changes are not about increasing restraint — they are about giving staff the practical tools they need to keep all students safe. In Gorham, we always prioritize using the least restrictive approaches. But when those fail, it is essential that educators have the legal clarity and support to act in the moment to protect both the student in crisis and those around them.”

Rep. Holly Sargent, D-York, said in part about her proposed bill,

“I was struck by the behavior that I witnessed, by the weeping of students, of teachers, who sought me out to speak to individually regarding the fact that they were being bruised, they were being bitten, they were being attacked, they were being sworn at. They felt that there were no consequences, there was no way for them to get control.”

Currently this bill has 9 co-sponsors that include only one republican. It's unclear how far this bill will progress through the chambers of the Maine Legislature.