<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" citation="COMAR 14.31.07.05" title_num="14" subtitle_num="31" chapter_num="07" heading="Secure Care Programs.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Licensing Requirements. In addition to the requirements set out in this regulation, a licensee that provides secure care shall also meet the requirements of COMAR 14.31.05 and 14.31.06.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Security. In order to have a license as a secure care program, a licensee shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Be licensed by the Department of Juvenile Services;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Identify in its application for licensure the specific security measures to be used by the program and demonstrate that the measures are necessary in order to provide care for the children to be served by the applicant;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Structure the physical plant so that it has:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A 24-hour control center for monitoring and coordinating its security, safety, and communication systems;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A perimeter that can retain the children within it and prevent unauthorized access into it; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Doors that open out from any room used by children;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Assign and deploy staff so that the children are visually supervised and staff are able to respond immediately to emergencies;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Open mail addressed to a child in front of the child to check for contraband;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Inspect:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>On a weekly basis:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The operation of all security devices; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>For the presence of contraband; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>On a daily basis, all areas occupied by the children; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Document all inspections and immediately correct all problems or defects found during the inspections.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Restraints. The licensee:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>May use restraints on children only in conformity with this regulation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Shall have and follow a written policy on the use of restraints that:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Identifies the type of restraints used by the licensee;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Specifies the criteria for the use of each type of restraint and that the staff authorizes approval and use of each type; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Establishes procedures for the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Monitoring and supervision of children in restraints;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Immediate review of the use of restraints; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Documentation of each use of restraints;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Shall prohibit the use of restraint in any manner that causes the child physical pain or undue anxiety; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Shall train staff upon employment and annually after that in the proper use of restraint.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Locked-Door Isolation.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A licensee may place a child in locked-door isolation only if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Locked-door isolation is clearly necessary to prevent imminent physical harm to the child or other individuals; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Less restrictive methods of behavior control have failed or cannot reasonably be implemented.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A licensee shall have and follow written procedures for the use of locked-door isolation that identify the staff authorized to approve the use of locked-door isolation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A licensee shall ensure that a child placed in locked-door isolation:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Does not possess belts, matches, weapons, or other objects or materials that might be used to inflict self-injury;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Does not present imminent danger to self or others;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Is offered 1 hour of large muscle activity every 24 hours that takes place out-of-room and, weather permitting, out-of-doors;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Has all reasonable personal physical needs met;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Receives all scheduled meals and snacks on time; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Is granted prompt access to bathroom facilities.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Staff shall monitor a child in locked-door isolation by:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Maintaining auditory contact with the child at all times;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Making visual contact with the child every 10 minutes; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Recording each contact with the child in a permanently bound logbook.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The licensee shall ensure that a room used for locked-door isolation is designed and constructed to safeguard the health, safety, and well-being of children.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>The room used for locked door isolation shall have:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An area of at least 60 square feet;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A tamper-proof ceiling light fixture with a minimum of a 75-watt bulb;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A door with a window that is impact-resistant, shatterproof, and mounted to allow inspection of the entire room;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Adequate ventilation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Equipment and fixtures that are designed and maintained in a manner to prevent their use in an attempted suicide.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>In order for a child to be held in locked-door isolation for longer than 30 minutes during a 12-hour period, the program administrator shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Approve the locked-door isolation every 2 hours;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Obtain for the child every 2 hours an examination by a physician or nurse;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Notify the placing agency and the child's parent if the locked-door isolation continues for more than 8 hours; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Remove a child from locked-door isolation after 72 hours.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>