Time:  10:00 a.m.
Date:  February 18
Place:  Room 412 East, State Capitol, Madison

Transportation Assistance:  Contact Jeff Spitzer-Resnick, Disability Rights Wisconsin, spitznick@DRWI.org, (608) 267-0214 or (800) 928-8778 (consumers and families)

Senate Bill 468 would get Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS) into schools and reduce the use of seclusion and restraints.  It would make it safer for students and school staff when those aversive techniques are absolutely necessary.  More information about SB 468  is available on DAWN, including a plain talk description of the bill.

The Senate Education Committee is holding the hearing.  It is really important to have a good turnout to support the bill.  The Committee Chair, Sen. John Lehman, has made it clear that he is not interested in simply hearing a parade of horror stories.  So, the best way to approach your testimony is to tell the committee your story about why you feel this bill is necessary, and how it will help improve behavior in schools and keep EVERYONE, including staff and students, safer.

The best testimony to give is if you can point to at least one aspect in the bill that would improve the behavioral situation in your school.  If your child has been secluded and/or restrained and you believe they are old enough and mature enough to share their story, it would be very powerful for them to do so.

If you cannot make it to the hearing, but wish to make your views known, please send your testimony to the Chair of the Senate Education Committee, Sen. John Lehman, by February 18.  You can e-mail your testimony to him at Sen.Lehman@legis.wisconsin.gov