DENVER — A state representative introduced a bill to ban seclusion rooms in public and charter schools across the state – but the lawmaker behind this bill already knew, as it was written, would never get out of committee.
"So seclusion rooms to me inflict trauma, that’s trauma that students have to deal with even outside of the seclusion room. I believe we can be more proactive opposed to reactive because there’s always a better way, there’s a better path, especially for students," Democratic State Representative Regina English, the bill sponsor, said. "This [bill] should be a no-brainer this is the right thing for the state of Colorado to do, it really is."
The bill was discussed in the education committee hearing on Wednesday. As it was written, the bill would ban the use of seclusion on a student in any school district, district charter school or institute charter school on certain property.
Seclusion rooms have been a big topic in Denver Public Schools. McAuliffe International School was under scrutiny for its use of these rooms. An investigation by DPS found that staff placed students in this room without proper supervision.
"That's not OK with me, not on my watch," English said regarding the investigation's findings. Not everyone agrees with English's perspective.
Jessie Hawthorn's son used McAuliffe's seclusion room as a student.
"I was happy that he had that option," Hawthorn told 9NEWS. "My son at different times totally destroyed classrooms threw desks and chairs everywhere, so there are students like that that need time to become regulated and those types of rooms are important for those students."
This week English laid over the bill in committee which means she put the vote off for another day. She admitted, that the bill likely did not have the votes as it was written to pass through committee on Wednesday.
But with some amendments, she thinks it could get through.
"They really want to know what is seclusion what is de-escalation," she said regarding some of the clarification. "I have hope and would like to have trust that my colleagues agree that this is not best practice and that we will get it through both chambers."
English is currently the only sponsor in the House. Democratic Senator Janet Buckner is expected to sponsor it in the Senate.
She said the exact amendments are still being worked on. Amendments could mean drastic changes to the bill and in the end it may not mean a complete ban.
English said she hoped to have any changes made soon to allow her to bring the bill back for a vote.