Your monthly support provides voters the knowledge they need to make confident decisions at the polls. Donate today.
Washington Prohibit Physical Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Initiative (2022)
| Washington Prohibit Physical Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Initiative | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 8, 2022 | |
| Topic Education | |
| Status Not on the ballot | |
| Type State statute | Origin Citizens |
The Washington Prohibit Physical Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Initiative was not on the ballot in Washington as an Initiative to the Legislature, a type of indirect initiated state statute, on November 8, 2022.
The initiative would have prohibited physical restraint and seclusion as punishment for children in schools.[1]
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for the initiative is below:
| “ |
Initiative Measure No. 1444 concerns restraint or isolation of students. This measure would prohibit schools from isolating students, physically restraining students absent imminent danger of serious physical injury, or including physical restraint in individualized student plans. Funding could be withheld from noncompliant schools. Should this measure be enacted into law? [2] |
” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary for the initiative is below:
| “ |
This measure would prohibit school personnel, security, and resource officers from isolating students or using devices to restrain movement. It would prohibit physical restraint absent imminent danger of physical injury and lack of less-restrictive options. It would limit drug administration. It would prohibit physical restraint as a planned intervention in individualized education programs, safety plans, and behavioral plans. It would require personnel training and notice of restraint occurrences. Funding could be withheld from noncompliant schools. [2] |
” |
Full text
The full text of the initiative can be found here.
Path to the ballot
The state process
In Washington, the number of signatures required to qualify an indirectly initiated state statute—called an Initiative to the Legislature in Washington—for the ballot is equal to 8 percent of the votes cast for the office of governor at the last regular gubernatorial election. Initial filings for indirect initiatives cannot be made more than 10 months before the regular session at which their proposal would be presented to lawmakers. Signatures must be submitted at least 10 days prior to the beginning of the legislative session in the year of the targeted election.
The requirements to get an Initiative to the Legislature certified for the 2022 ballot:
- Signatures: 324,516 valid signatures were required.
- Deadline: December 31, 2021
The secretary of state verifies the signatures using a random sample method. If the sample indicates that the measure has sufficient signatures, the measure is certified to appear before the legislature. If the legislature does not approve the measure, it is certified to appear on the ballot. However, if the sample indicates that the measure has insufficient signatures, every signature is checked. Under Washington law, a random sample result may not invalidate a petition.
Details about this initiative
- Richard Pope filed the initiative on December 8, 2021.[1]
- Sponsors did not submit signatures before the deadline on December 30, 2021, therefore the initiative did not qualify for the ballot.[1]
See also
External links
Footnotes
 |
State of Washington Olympia (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
| Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |
