NH Law Limiting Restraint & Seclusion

The Law

RSA 126-U is a state law that limits the use of restraint and seclusion of children by schools and by certain providers of residential services and treatment to children. It restricts the use of restraint and seclusion only to emergency situations when no other intervention will prevent the substantial and imminent risk of serious bodily harm to the child or someone else. More information about this law can be found in our Restraint and Seclusion in School flyer.

There are specific rules regarding the use of restraint and seclusion that apply to designated receiving facilities that provide psychiatric treatment to children and adults, such as New Hampshire Hospital. See our Restraint and Seclusion in Facilities flyer.  Medicaid law similarly restricts the use of restraint and seclusion on both adults and children in facilities that accept Medicaid.