LIS

Administrative Code

Virginia Administrative Code
11/6/2024

Part I. General Provisions

6VAC35-101-10. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Annual" means within 13 months of the previous event or occurrence.

"Behavior management" means those principles and methods employed to help a resident achieve positive behavior and to address and correct a resident's inappropriate behavior in a constructive and safe manner in accordance with written procedures governing program expectations and resident and employee safety and security.

"Board" means the Board of Juvenile Justice.

"Case record" or "record" means written or electronic information relating to one resident and the resident's family, if applicable. This information includes, but is not limited to, social, medical, psychiatric, and psychological records; reports; demographic information; agreements; all correspondence relating to care of the resident; service plans with periodic revisions; aftercare plans and discharge summary; and any other information related to the resident.

"Contraband" means any item possessed by or accessible to a resident or found within a detention center or on its premises (i) that is prohibited by statute, regulation, or the facility's procedure, (ii) that is not acquired through approved channels or in prescribed amounts, or (iii) that may jeopardize the safety and security of the detention center or individual residents.

"Department" means the Department of Juvenile Justice.

"Detention center" or "secure juvenile detention center" means a local, regional, or state, publicly or privately operated secure custody facility that houses individuals who are ordered to be detained pursuant to the Code of Virginia. This term does not include juvenile correctional centers.

"Direct care staff" means the staff whose primary job responsibilities are (i) maintaining the safety, care, and well-being of residents, (ii) implementing the structured program of care and the behavior management program, and (iii) maintaining the security of the facility.

"Direct supervision" means the act of working with residents while not in the presence of direct care staff. Staff members who provide direct supervision are responsible for maintaining the safety, care, and well-being of the residents in addition to providing services or performing the primary responsibilities of that position.

"Director" means the Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice.

"Emergency" means a sudden, generally unexpected occurrence or set of circumstances demanding immediate action such as a fire, chemical release, loss of utilities, natural disaster, taking of hostages, major disturbances, escape, and bomb threats. Emergency does not include regularly scheduled employee time off or other situations that could be reasonably anticipated.

"Facility administrator" means the individual who has the responsibility for the on-site management and operation of the detention center on a regular basis.

"Health care record" means the complete record of medical screening and examination information and ongoing records of medical and ancillary service delivery including, but not limited to, all findings, diagnoses, treatments, dispositions, and prescriptions and their administration.

"Health care services" means those actions, preventative and therapeutic, taken for the physical and mental well-being of a resident. Health care services include medical, dental, orthodontic, mental health, family planning, obstetrical, gynecological, health education, and other ancillary services.

"Health trained personnel" means an individual who is trained by a licensed health care provider to perform specific duties such as administering health care screenings, reviewing screening forms for necessary follow-up care, preparing residents and records for sick call, and assisting in the implementation of certain medical orders.

"Individual service plan" or "service plan" means a written plan of action developed, revised as necessary, and reviewed at intervals to meet the needs of a resident. The individual service plan specifies (i) measurable short-term and long-term goals; (ii) the objectives, strategies, and time frames for reaching the goals; and (iii) the individuals responsible for carrying out the plan.

"Living unit" means the space in a detention center in which a particular group of residents resides that contains sleeping areas, bath and toilet facilities, and a living room or its equivalent for use by the residents. Depending upon its design, a building may contain one living unit or several separate living units.

"On duty" means the period of time an employee is responsible for the direct supervision of one or more residents.

"Parent" or "legal guardian" means (i) a biological or adoptive parent who has legal custody of a resident, including either parent if custody is shared under a joint decree or agreement; (ii) a biological or adoptive parent with whom a resident regularly resides; (iii) a person judicially appointed as a legal guardian of a resident; or (iv) a person who exercises the rights and responsibilities of legal custody by delegation from a biological or adoptive parent, upon provisional adoption, or otherwise by operation of law.

"Postdispositional detention program" means a program in a detention center serving residents who are subject to a sentence or dispositional order for placement in the detention center for a period exceeding 30 days pursuant to subdivision A 16 of § 16.1-278.8 and subsection B of § 16.1.284.1 of the Code of Virginia.

"Premises" means the tracts of land on which any part of a detention center is located and any buildings on such tracts of land.

"Regulatory authority" means the board or the department as designated by the board.

"Resident" means an individual who is confined in a detention center.

"Rules of conduct" means a listing of a detention center's rules or regulations that is maintained to inform residents and others of the behavioral expectations of the behavior management program, about behaviors that are not permitted, and about the sanctions that may be applied when impermissible behaviors occur.

"Written" means the required information is communicated in writing. Such writing may be available in either hard copy or in electronic form.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-20. Applicability.

Parts I (6VAC35-101-10 et seq.) though VIII (6VAC35-101-1070 et seq.) of this chapter apply to juvenile detention centers for both predispositional and postdispositional programs unless specifically excluded. Part IX (6VAC35-101-1160 et seq.) of this chapter only applies to detention centers operating postdispositional detention programs for residents sentenced for a period exceeding 30 days pursuant to subdivision A 16 of § 16.1-278.8 and subsection B of § 16.1.284.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-30. Previous regulations terminated.

This chapter replaces the Standards for the Interim Regulation of Children's Residential Facilities (6VAC 35-51) and the Standards for Juvenile Residential Facilities (6VAC35-140) for the regulation of all detention centers as defined herein. The Standards for the Interim Regulation of Children's Residential Facilities and the Standards for Juvenile Residential Facilities remain in effect for juvenile correctional centers and group homes, regulated by the board, until such time as the board adopts new regulations related thereto.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-40. Certification.

A. The detention center shall comply with the provisions of the Regulations Governing the Monitoring, Approval, and Certification of Juvenile Justice Programs (6VAC35-20). The detention center shall:

1. Demonstrate compliance with this chapter, other applicable regulations issued by the board, and applicable statutes and regulations;

2. Implement approved plans of action to correct findings of noncompliance; and

3. Ensure no noncompliances may pose any immediate and direct danger to residents.

B. Documentation necessary to demonstrate compliance with this chapter shall be maintained for a minimum of three years.

C. The current certificate shall be posted at all times in a place conspicuous to the public.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-45. Contracts between juvenile detention centers and separate entities.

When a detention center enters into an agreement with a separate entity for the purpose of detaining a juvenile in the separate entity's custody, the agreement shall provide that the program housing the juvenile shall be subject to 6VAC35-20, Regulation Governing the Monitoring, Approval, and Certification of Juvenile Justice Programs and Facilities.

1. For purposes of demonstrating compliance with this chapter, the agreement shall allow the department the same access to the detained juvenile and to the records and reports for the detained juvenile as is authorized currently under § 16.1-309.10 of the Code of Virginia and 6VAC35-20 for all other residents in the detention center.

2. Nothing in this section shall prevent the detention center and the separate entity from agreeing that services and treatment shall exceed the requirements of this chapter for those youth in the custody of the separate entity.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-322.7 and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 23, eff. August 22, 2019.

6VAC35-101-50. Relationship to the regulatory authority.

A. All reports and information as the regulatory authority may require to establish compliance with this chapter and other applicable regulations and statutes shall be submitted to or made available to the regulatory authority.

B. A written report of any contemplated changes in operation that would affect the terms of the certificate or the continuing eligibility for certification shall be submitted to the regulatory authority. A change may not be implemented prior to approval by the regulatory authority.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-60. Relationship with the department.

A. The director or designee shall be notified within five working days of any significant change in administrative structure or newly hired facility administrator.

B. Any of the following that may be related to the health , safety, or human rights of residents shall be reported to the director or designee within 10 days: (i) lawsuits against the detention center or its governing authority and (ii) settlements with the detention center or its governing authority.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-70. Variances.

A. Board action may be requested by the facility administrator to relieve a detention center from having to meet or develop a plan of action for the requirements of a specific section or subsection of this regulation, either permanently or for a determined period of time, as provided in the Regulations Governing the Monitoring, Approval, and Certification of Juvenile Justice Programs (6VAC35-20).

B. Any such variance may not be implemented prior to approval of the board.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-75. Operational procedures.

The current program or operating procedure manual shall be readily accessible to all staff.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-80. Serious incident reports.

A. The following events shall be reported, in accordance with department procedures, within 24 hours to (i) the applicable court service unit; (ii) either the parent or legal guardian, as appropriate and applicable; and (iii) the director or designee:

1. Any serious incident, accident, illness, or injury to the resident;

2. The death of a resident;

3. Any suspected case of child abuse or neglect at the detention center, on a detention center-sponsored event or excursion, or involving detention center staff as provided in 6VAC35-101-90 (suspected child abuse and neglect);

4. Any disaster, fire, emergency, or other condition that may jeopardize the health, safety, and welfare of residents; and

5. Any absence from the detention center without permission.

B. The detention center shall notify the director or designee within 24 hours of any events detailed in subsection A of this section and all other situations required by the regulatory authority of which the facility has been notified.

C. If an incident involving the death of a resident occurs at the facility, the facility shall notify the parents or legal guardians, as appropriate and applicable, of all residents in the facility provided such notice does not violate any confidentiality requirements or jeopardize any law-enforcement or child protective services investigation or the prosecution of any criminal cases related to the incident.

D. The facility shall (i) prepare and maintain a written report of the events listed in subsections A and B of this section and (ii) submit a copy of the written report to the director or designee. The report shall contain the following information:

1. The date and time the incident occurred;

2. A brief description of the incident;

3. The action taken as a result of the incident;

4. The name of the person who completed the report;

5. The name or identifying information of the person who made the report to the applicable court service unit and to either the parent or legal guardian, as appropriate and applicable; and

6. The name or identifying information of the person to whom the report was made, including any law-enforcement or child protective service personnel.

E. The resident's record shall contain a written reference (i) that an incident occurred and (ii) of all applicable reporting.

F. In addition to the requirements of this section, any serious incident involving an allegation of child abuse or neglect at the detention center, at a detention center sponsored event, or involving detention center staff shall be governed by 6VAC35-101-90 (suspected child abuse or neglect).

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-90. Suspected child abuse or neglect.

A. When there is reason to suspect that a resident is an abused or neglected child, the matter shall be reported immediately to the local department of social services as required by § 63.2-1509 of the Code of Virginia and in accordance with written procedures.

B. Written procedures shall be distributed to all staff members and shall at a minimum provide for:

1. Handling accusations against staff;

2. Reporting and documenting suspected cases of child abuse and neglect;

3. Cooperating during any investigation; and

4. Measures to be taken to ensure the safety of the residents and the staff.

C. Any case of suspected child abuse or neglect shall be reported and documented as required in 6VAC35-101-80 (serious incident reports). The resident's record shall contain a written reference that a report was made.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-95. Reporting criminal activity.

A. Written procedures shall require staff to report all known criminal activity by residents or staff to the facility administrator, including but not limited to any physical abuse, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment and the offenses listed in §§ 53.1-203 (felonies by prisoners); 18.2-55 (bodily injuries caused by prisoners); 18.2-48.1 (abduction by prisoners); 18.2-64.1 (carnal knowledge of certain minors); 18.2-64.2 (carnal knowledge of an inmate, parolee, probationer, detainee, or pretrial or posttrial offender); and 18.2-477.1 (escapes from juvenile facility) of the Code of Virginia.

B. The facility administrator, in accordance with written procedures, shall notify the appropriate persons or agencies, including law enforcement, child protective services, and the department, if applicable and appropriate, of suspected criminal violations by residents or staff. Suspected criminal violations relating to the health and safety or human rights of residents shall be reported to the director or designee.

C. The detention center shall assist and cooperate with the investigation of any such complaints and allegations as necessary.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

6VAC35-101-100. Grievance procedure.

A. Written procedure shall provide that residents are oriented to and have continuing access to a grievance procedure that provides for:

1. Resident participation in the grievance process with assistance from staff upon request;

2. Investigation of the grievance by an objective employee who is not the subject of the grievance;

3. Documented, timely responses to all grievances with the reasons for the decision;

4. At least one level of appeal;

5. Administrative review of grievances;

6. Protection from retaliation or threat of retaliation for filing a grievance; and

7. Hearing of an emergency grievance within eight hours.

B. Each resident shall be oriented to the grievance procedure in an age or developmentally appropriate manner.

C. The grievance procedure shall be (i) written in clear and simple language and (ii) posted in an area easily accessible to residents and their parents and legal guardians.

D. Staff shall assist and work cooperatively with other employees in facilitating the grievance process.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 16.1-322.7, and 66-10 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 25, eff. January 1, 2014.

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