From the APRAIS Coalition, March 23, 2010
Dear Friends,
On March 3, 2010 the United States House of Representatives took a bold step forward and passed H.R. 4247, moving this legislation closer to becoming federal law. The next part of the process now rests in the hands of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee members. The cooperation of these individuals, along with the help of all Senators, is needed to move the bill's counterpart, S. 2860, out of committee.
We are asking you to join us in a National Call-In Day on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, to tell your Senators to support the Keeping All Students Safe Act (formerly the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act), S.2860, introduced in December 2009 by Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT). This legislation would provide students with and without disabilities vital protections against abuse in schools.
The passage of this bill will occur in stages, so we ask that you assist with what's most important now - informing your Senators about the importance of this legislation and getting their sponsorship on the bill now! This will go a long way in encouraging the Senate HELP committee to take action on S. 2860.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Please call this coming Wednesday (March 24) and encourage your friends, family and coworkers to participate by dialing the Capitol Switchboard at
202-224-3121 and asking for your Senators to Co-Sponsor S. 2860.
Identify yourself as a constituent and the organization that you represent (if any)
Message: "I am calling to urge (Senator X) to cosponsor S.2860, legislation preventing harmful use of restraint and seclusion in schools."
Also, you may wish to email your Senator's staff who work on education issues, who are:
Senator Sam Brownback
Education Staffer
La Rochelle Young
Larochelle_young@brownback.senate.gov
(202) 224-6521
Senator Pat Roberts
Education Staffer
Melissa Kay
Melissa_Kay@roberts.senate.gov
(202) 224-4774
Please consider contacting the above staff for Roberts and Brownback and engaging them regarding co-sponsoring Sen. Dodd¹s companion bill (S 2860).
Thanks for your advocacy. Increasing Senate support for this bill will help move it one step closer to enactment. Please call on March 24, 2010, and tell your friends and family to join you. If you are interested in doing more, please e-mail us at info@autisticadvocacy.org for information about how you can arrange a meeting with your representatives to explain why this bill is essential or visit www.tash.org/aprais to learn more.
Regards,
The APRAIS Coalition
Kuna Tavalin
Public Policy Analyst
National Disability Rights Network