Oregon School Administrators De-Emphazize Student Mental Health by Continuing to Push Dangerous Bill to Reinstate Physical Restraint

PORTLAND, ORE.  –  The Portland Press-Herald reported on April 24, 2025 that school administrators are continuing to press the Oregon Legislature to pass House Bill 3835.  Oregon currently upholds one of the nation’s strongest prohibitions against the use of chemical, mechanical, and physical restraints in educational settings. Americans for Autism Advocacy (AFAA) issues the following comment:

“While May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, Oregon’s educational administrators are seemingly giving only superficial attention to the mental well-being of all students, including those who are neurodivergent. The Oregon Legislature’s potential passage of House Bill 3835 presents a significant risk. This bill could undermine the state’s currently robust regulations on physical restraint, potentially endangering a large number of K-12 special education students.  Oregon residents concerned about special education should immediately contact their lawmakers in Salem to prevent this detrimental legislation from proceeding to a vote in the state House of Representatives.”

CLICK HERE to find your members of the Oregon Legislature to oppose HB 3835.