Helt cheers signing of ‘safe classrooms’ bill

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Thursday signed legislation which supporters said will help to restore balance between keeping students safe and maintaining a classroom free of disruptive behavior.

Senate Bill 963 modifies the permissible uses of restraint for students in public education programs, and adds clarity for teachers to address classroom disruptions.

The legislation, which had broad bipartisan sponsorship of 31 legislators, was brought forward in response to the growing practice of “room clears “in Oregon classrooms, which consist of a teacher having every student other than the one being disruptive stand up and leave the room.

Rep. Cheri Helt, R-Bend, a chief sponsor of Senate Bill 963, carried the bill on the House floor, where it passed 58-1.

“I have heard from countless teachers, parents and students about the increasing frequency of these room clears and how troublesome they have become,” Helt said. “I am proud to work with my colleagues across the aisle to bring forward a practical solution for our classrooms.”

“I want to thank Representative Clem and Senator Gelser for their partnership in bringing this bill forward to return autonomy and trust back to our teachers in the classroom while keeping students safe.”