Dear Representative Pickens,

There are many families from counties all over Florida who have children with Autism and Autistic Spectrum Disorders that are being restrained and put in time-out and locked seclusion rooms in the public school system. Our children are being injured physically and mentally because of their disabilities. No laws, no regulations, no tracking system, no consent from parents and no parent notification in many cases. The trauma this has caused our children and the emotional drain to our families should never happen to any child or family.

Parents are asking you to Please support House Bill 1139 sponsored by Representative Susan Bucher. This bill will help reduce and control restraint and time out/locked seclusion on children with disabilities in the public school system. Please help keep our children safe in the public school system by supporting this bill.

Thank you. Gianni & Phyllis Musumeci, Shawn & Kellie Elders and Brad & Tuesday Williams