PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia City Council has formally banned police from using certain modes of restraint on crime suspects, including kneeling on a suspect’s neck, and voted to open contract negotiations with the police union to the public.

The contract bill passed by the council requires a public hearing to be held 30 days before a contract is proposal is officially proposed to the police union and allows for public comment on the initial proposal before it is submitted.

The restraint bill incorporates into law bans on certain restraints that were already in or were recently added to the police department’s conduct rules.