Santa Fe New Mexican

New Mexico lawmakers are taking another pass at two measures that have stalled in previous years but that, supporters say, are critical to protecting vulnerable children and fixing the state’s special education system. Senate Bill 64 would formally codify the Office of Special Education in state statute, embedding it within the Public Education Department and centralizing oversight of special education services statewide. And House Bill 120 would more tightly regulate the use of restraint and seclusion in schools — emergency interventions used when a student’s behavior presents what staff determine to be imminent physical danger to the student or others. Such restraints are most frequently used on special education students. The two bills have passed the Senate and House, respectively, and are working their way through committees in the other chamber.