8VAC20-750-5. Application.
A. This chapter is applicable to all students and school personnel in the public elementary and secondary schools of the Commonwealth of Virginia, as defined in 8VAC20-750-20. This chapter governs the use of seclusion and restraint for the purpose of behavioral intervention. [ This chapter does not apply to any secure facility or detention home as defined in § 16.1-228 of the Code of Virginia, or to any facility operated by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. ]
B. To comply with this chapter, school personnel must first determine whether the action constitutes restraint or seclusion, as defined in 8VAC20-750-10. If the action does not meet the definition, or if the action falls under any of the "does not include" portions of the definitions in 8VAC20-750-10, then school personnel may act within their reasonable discretion. If the action falls within the definition of restraint or seclusion, it may be used, but only under the circumstances described in 8VAC20-750-40 and 8VAC20-750-50, and is subject to the other requirements of this chapter.
C. 8VAC20-750-30 identifies certain practices that constitute restraint or seclusion that may be detrimental to the health, safety, or dignity of the student and that may never be used by school personnel.
Statutory Authority
§ 22.1-16 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 24, eff. January 1, 2021.