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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 12. Health
Agency 35. Department of Behavioral Health And Developmental Services
Chapter 46. Regulations for Children's Residential Facilities
6/29/2025

12VAC35-46-890. Searches.

A. Strip searches and body cavity searches are prohibited.

B. A provider that conducts pat downs shall develop and implement written policies and procedures governing the use of pat downs providing that:

1. Pat downs shall be limited to instances where necessary to prohibit contraband;

2. Pat downs shall be conducted by personnel of the same gender as the resident being searched;

3. Pat downs shall be conducted only by personnel who are specifically trained and authorized to conduct searches by the written policies and procedures; and

4. Pat downs shall be conducted in such a way as to protect the resident's dignity in accordance with 12VAC35-115 and in the presence of one or more witnesses.

Statutory Authority

§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 18, eff. June 19, 2025.

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