IV 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1487 
Recognizing the harm associated with restraints in schools. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 17, 2022 
Ms. GARCIA of Texas (for herself, Mrs. CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK, Ms. JACOBS 
of California, Mr. TRONE, Mr. ESPAILLAT, Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, Mr. 
CA´RDENAS, Ms. BARRAGA´N, Mr. VEASEY, Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia, 
and Ms. ESCOBAR) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Com-
mittee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by 
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall with-
in the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the harm associated with restraints in schools. 
Whereas there were 70,833 American public school students 
subjected to physical restraint throughout the 2017 to 
2018 school year; 
Whereas the Government Accountability Office’s report on se-
clusions and restraints revealed at least 20 student fatali-
ties linked to incorrect restraint techniques since 2009; 
Whereas trauma resulting from physical restraint can inter-
rupt and impede a child’s brain development throughout 
early childhood; 
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•HRES 1487 IH 
Whereas elementary school-age children are sometimes too 
small to be restrained using standard handcuffs and are 
forced into unnatural, uncomfortable, and potentially 
dangerous positions, such as being restrained by their bi-
ceps; 
Whereas physical restraints may trigger short-term problems 
in sleep, learning, relationship building, and trust; 
Whereas physical force can create a lasting distrust of adults 
and authority figures and has the potential to breed ag-
gressive tendencies into adulthood; 
Whereas some children who experienced physical restraints at 
an early age in a school setting were hospitalized after 
experiencing suicidal thoughts, while others were hos-
pitalized for their bruises and physical injuries; 
Whereas the Department of Education noted that restraints 
have not been shown to alter behavior; 
Whereas secondary traumatic stress is defined as trauma de-
veloped by individuals who are exposed to the trauma of 
others through their professional roles; 
Whereas law enforcement officers witness trauma daily, 
which increases the likelihood of developing post-trau-
matic stress disorder and other traumatic symptoma-
tology; and 
Whereas educators, administrators, educator support profes-
sionals, school resource officers, and law enforcement of-
ficers may experience secondary trauma as a result of 
witnessing or administering restraints on a child: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
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•HRES 1487 IH 
(1) recognizes the harm associated with re-
straints in schools, including— 
(A) the short-term consequences of re-
straint experienced by children, such as— 
(i) difficulties sleeping, learning, and 
socializing; 
(ii) mood instability; 
(iii) academic difficulties; and 
(iv) bruises, discomfort, suicidal idea-
tion, and even death; 
(B) the long-term consequences of re-
straint experienced by children, such as— 
(i) development of trauma; 
(ii) distrust toward authority figures, 
such as teachers, officers, and administra-
tors; 
(iii) interrupted brain development; 
and 
(iv) aggressive tendencies in adoles-
cence and adulthood; and 
(C) the development of secondary trau-
matic stress disorder in law enforcement offi-
cers, which may result in— 
(i) burnout; 
(ii) compassion fatigue; 
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•HRES 1487 IH 
(iii) vicarious trauma; and 
(iv) other trauma symptomatology; 
(2) encourages local and State governments to 
implement rules, legislation, and trainings to pro-
hibit the use of physical restraints on young children 
in schools in order to create a safer learning envi-
ronment and increase transparency between schools 
and families; and 
(3) acknowledges the secondary stress injuries 
of educators, education support professionals, ad-
ministrators, school resource officers, and law en-
forcement officers across the United States and 
moves toward substantial change through open and 
frequent policy discussion. 
Æ 
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