South East Consortium for Special Education
3434 Marten Ave.
San Jose, CA 95148
Phone: 408.223.3771 / Fax: 408.532.9311
Guidelines for Completing the Behavioral Emergency Intervention Report
Districts must document and record all instances of emergency behavioral restraints and/or seclusion incidents
involving students for annual reporting purposes to the state of California. Documentation is required for students
in general education, students with Section 504 plans, and students with exceptional needs (Assembly Bill 2657).
The SELPA Behavioral Emergency Intervention Report will assist school districts in properly documenting
behavioral emergency interventions. One must be completed by staff with involvement and/or knowledge of
events leading to the emergency behavioral intervention. Please note that emergency interventions, including
behavioral restraint and/or seclusion “may only be used to control unpredictable, spontaneous behavior which
poses clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the individual with exceptional needs, or others, and
that cannot be immediately prevented by a response less restrictive than the temporary application of a technique
used to contain the behavior” [Education Code § 56521.1(a)].
Below are definitions of what constitutes a behavioral restraint and seclusion (Education Code § 49005):
“Mechanical restraint” means the use of a device or equipment to restrict a pupil’s freedom of movement.
“Mechanical restraint” does not include the use of devices by trained school personnel, or by a pupil, prescribed
by an appropriate medical or related services professional, if the device is used for the specific and approved
purpose for which the device or equipment was prescribed, which shall include, but not be limited to, all of the
following:
-Adaptive devices or mechanical supports used to achieve proper body position, balance, or alignment to
allow greater freedom of mobility than would be possible without the use of such devices or mechanical
supports.
-Vehicle safety restraints when used as intended during the transport of a pupil in a moving vehicle.
-Restraints for medical immobilization.
-Orthopedically prescribed devices that permit a pupil to participate in activities without risk of harm.
“Physical restraint” means a personal restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a pupil to move his or
her torso, arms, legs, or head freely. “Physical restraint” does not include a physical escort, which means a
temporary touching or holding of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, or back for the purpose of inducing a pupil who
is acting out to walk to a safe location.
“Seclusion” means the involuntary confinement of a pupil alone in a room or area from which the pupil is
physically prevented from leaving. “Seclusion” does not include a timeout, which is a behavior management
technique that is part of an approved program, that involves the monitored separation of the pupil in a non-locked
setting, and is implemented for the purpose of calming.
Please visit the California Department of Education or the California Legislative Information websites for more
information.
