Bill: School staff can physically intervene with pupils
Official title (in Danish): Forslag til lov om ændring af lov om elevers og studerendes undervisningsmiljø. (Udtrykkelige bestemmelser om skolens omsorgsansvar og adgang til fysisk indgriben, herunder en udvidet hjemmel til magtanvendelse m.v.)
In short
Reading time: 1 min- What is proposed:
- The bill proposes to write the school's duty of care into the act.
- It would also give staff explicit authority to physically intervene with pupils, including an expanded authority to use force.
- Who would be affected: Pupils and staff in state primary schools, municipal international primary schools, independent primary schools, boarding schools, youth schools and leisure-time facilities, as well as parents.
- When: The bill has not been passed yet.
Written by AI from verbatim quotes from the source and checked by code and AI. Dates, tables and the fact box are calculated by fixed rules. Unofficial translation. Always read the original.
The bill proposes to give school staff explicit authority to physically intervene with pupils. When the bill was introduced, a compilation from 2024 showed an increase in episodes of disruptive behaviour at schools.
If the bill is passed:
- The rules apply to state primary schools, municipal international primary schools, youth schools, independent primary schools, boarding schools and leisure-time facilities.
- Staff take over care of the pupil from the parents during school hours and in leisure-time facilities.
- Staff can take the necessary actions to safeguard the pupil's interests.
- Staff can intervene with a pupil who damages property, physically or psychologically violates others, puts themselves or others at risk, or significantly disrupts teaching for others.
- Staff can physically guide a pupil, for example with an arm around the child. This does not need to be registered or reported.
- An intervention must be proportionate to the situation, and less intrusive options must be tried first.
According to the bill, the purpose is to give staff a real opportunity to create calm and order and to protect pupils and other people.
Sources and original
Read the official text (in Danish) →
Source: the Danish Parliament (ft.dk)
Translated from Danish · The Danish version and the original source apply.
Timeline
How to read the timeline
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- Square: the case ended here, e.g. because the bill was rejected or withdrawn.
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- Introduced · 8 October 2026Status in the Danish Parliament: Fremsat
- PassedAwaiting the Danish Parliament
- Enters into forceThe date is not known yet