Same-day notification of parents or guardians of a student with a disability will be required when behavioral interventions like physical restraint are used under a new law approved by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The measure is meant to boost transparency for parents and guardians of vulnerable students and address their concerns when such reporting is delayed.

“Often a child with a disability literally has no voice and cannot reply to a parent asking how their day went,” said Assemblyman Chris Burdick, who sponsored the measure with state Sen. Peter Harckham. “Parents should know the very same day if behavioral restraints, such as seclusion or physical restraint, are applied."

Seclusion and physical restraint are sometimes used as a way of preventing students from hurting themselves, other children or school staff members. But many of these students are unable to communicate what has occurred at school at the end of the day.

The new law is meant to improve the well-being of students who may be unable to discuss what happened that day. The law takes effect immediately.

“Safeguarding our students, including those with unique abilities, needs to be an utmost priority, and this new law will help do just that,” Harckham said. “I appreciate Assemblymember Burdick’s decisive work to meet this issue head-on, as well as Governor Hochul’s strong support: Children and families deserve timely communication regarding all school-related issues, not just those focusing on behavioral interventions.”