Nebraska State Senator Mike Groene held a town hall meeting at the West Central Research and Extension Center. During the meeting, Groene briefly touched on proposed legislative bill 595, which would allow teachers to physically restrain a student if they become violent in the classroom, are damaging school property, or pose a threat to another student. It would also protect the teacher from losing their jobs or facing legal action.

Groene drew inspiration for LB 595 following an incident in North Platte and another incident in Omaha. He said that there are a lot of states that have this law, naming Florida as an example. His hope is that LB 595 will provide protection for Nebraska teachers. “We don’t evolve out of self defense and protecting the innocent from harm. That’s innate in human nature,” he said.

Although a teacher would be allowed to touch a student, Groene mentioned multiple times throughout the evening that restraint does not equal corporal punishment. Groene said that restraint is a legal term, and it just means that a teacher could wrap their arms around the child to hold them still, similar to what a police officer does. For example, if a teacher were to physically restrain a student by putting them in a chokehold, they would be arrested for assault. “I don’t care what bad day you’re having. Nobody has a right to harm somebody else,” Groene said.

The town hall, which took place on Feb. 18, was held at West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte. It was an open question meeting, with attendees having the opportunity to ask the senator questions. The conversation varied, with topics like water rights and substitute teachers brought up. Groene ended the meeting by saying, “I support public schools. I support kids. And I support education.”