LIS

Administrative Code

Virginia Administrative Code
11/11/2024

Part V. Residents' Rights

Article 6
Records

6VAC35-41-560. Prohibited actions.

The following actions are prohibited:

1. Discrimination in violation of the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and state and federal statutes and regulations;

2. Deprivation of drinking water or food necessary to meet a resident's daily nutritional needs, except as ordered by a licensed physician for a legitimate medical purpose and documented in the resident's record;

3. Denial of contacts and visits with the resident's attorney, a probation officer, the department, regulatory authority, a supervising agency representative, or representatives of other agencies or groups as required by applicable statutes or regulations;

4. Bans on contacts and visits with family or legal guardians, except as permitted by other applicable state regulations or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction;

5. Any action that is humiliating, degrading, or abusive, including but not limited to physical abuse, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment;

6. Corporal punishment, which is administered through the intentional inflicting of pain or discomfort to the body through actions such as, but not limited to (i) striking or hitting with any part of the body or with an implement; (ii) pinching, pulling, or shaking; or (iii) any similar action that normally inflicts pain or discomfort;

7. Subjection to unsanitary living conditions;

8. Denial of opportunities for bathing or access to toilet facilities, except as ordered by a licensed physician for a legitimate medical purpose and documented in the resident's record;

9. Denial of health care;

10. Deprivation of appropriate services and treatment;

11. Application of aversive stimuli, except as permitted pursuant to other applicable state regulations. Aversive stimuli means any physical forces (e.g., sound, electricity, heat, cold, light, water, or noise) or substances (e.g., hot pepper, pepper sauce, or pepper spray) measurable in duration and intensity that when applied to a resident are noxious or painful to the individual ;

12. Administration of laxatives, enemas, or emetics, except as ordered by a licensed physician or poison control center for a legitimate medical purpose and documented in the resident's record;

13. Deprivation of opportunities for sleep or rest, except as ordered by a licensed physician for a legitimate medical purpose and documented in the resident's record;

14. Placement of a resident alone in a locked room or a secured area where the resident is prevented from leaving;

15. Use of mechanical restraints (e.g., handcuffs, waist chains, leg irons, disposable plastic cuffs, leather restraints, or a restraint chair);

16. Use of pharmacological restraints; and

17. Other constitutionally prohibited actions.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-24 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

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

6VAC35-41-565. Vulnerable population.

A. The facility shall implement a procedure for assessing whether a resident is a member of a vulnerable population.

B. If the assessment determines a resident is a vulnerable population, the facility shall implement any identified additional precautions such as heightened need for supervision, additional safety precautions, or separation from certain other residents. The facility shall consider on a case-by-case basis whether a placement would ensure the resident's health and safety and whether the placement would present management or security problems.

C. For the purposes of this section, vulnerable population means a resident or group of residents who have been assessed to be reasonably likely to be exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally (e.g., very young residents; residents who are small in stature; residents who have limited English proficiency; residents who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender, or intersex; residents with a history of being bullied or of self-injurious behavior).

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-24 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

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

6VAC35-41-570. Residents' mail.

A. A resident's incoming or outgoing mail may be delayed or withheld only in accordance with this section or as permitted by other applicable regulations or by order of a court.

B. In accordance with written procedures, staff may open and inspect residents' incoming and outgoing nonlegal mail for contraband. When based on legitimate facility interests of order and security, nonlegal mail may be read, censored, or rejected. In accordance with written procedures, the resident shall be notified when incoming or outgoing letters are withheld in part or in full.

C. In the presence of the recipient and in accordance with written procedures, staff may open to inspect for contraband, but shall not read, legal mail. Legal mail shall mean any written material that is sent to or received from a designated class of correspondents, as defined in procedures, which shall include any court, legal counsel, administrators of the grievance system, or administrators of the department, facility, provider, or governing authority.

D. Staff shall not read mail addressed to parents, immediate family members, legal guardian, guardian ad litem, counsel, courts, officials of the committing authority, public official, or grievance administrators unless permission has been obtained from a court or the facility administrator has determined that there is a reasonable belief that the security of a facility is threatened. When so authorized, staff may read such mail only in the presence of a witness and in accordance with written procedures.

E. Except as otherwise provided, incoming and outgoing letters shall be held for no more than 24 hours and packages for no more than 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays.

F. Cash, stamps, and other specified items may be held for the resident.

G. Upon request, each resident shall be given postage and writing materials for all legal correspondence and at least two other letters per week.

H. Residents shall be permitted to correspond at their own expense with any person or organization provided such correspondence does not pose a threat to facility order and security and is not being used to violate or to conspire to violate the law.

I. First class letters and packages received for residents who have been transferred or released shall be forwarded.

J. Written procedure governing correspondence of residents shall be made available to all staff and residents and shall be reviewed annually and updated as needed.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-24 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

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

6VAC35-41-580. Telephone calls.

Residents shall be permitted reasonable access to a telephone in accordance with procedures that take into account the need for facility security and order, resident behavior, and program objectives.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-24 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

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

6VAC35-41-590. Visitation.

A. Residents shall be permitted to reasonable visiting privileges, consistent with written procedures, that take into account (i) the need for security and order, (ii) the behavior of individual residents and visitors, (iii) the importance of helping the resident maintain strong family and community ties, (iv) the welfare of the resident, and (v) whenever possible, flexible visiting hours.

B. Copies of the written visitation procedures shall be made available to the parents, when appropriate, legal guardians, the resident, and other interested persons important to the resident no later than the time of admission except that when parents or legal guardians do not participate in the admission process, visitation procedures shall be mailed, either electronically or via first class mail, to them by the close of the next business day after admission, unless a copy has already been provided to the individual.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-24 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

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

6VAC35-41-600. Contact with attorneys, courts, and law enforcement.

A. Residents shall have uncensored, confidential contact with their legal representative in writing, as provided for in 6VAC35-41-570 (residents' mail), by telephone, or in person.

B. Residents shall not be denied access to the courts.

C. Residents shall not be required to submit to questioning by law enforcement, though they may do so voluntarily.

1. Residents' consent shall be obtained prior to any contact with law enforcement.

2. No employee may coerce a resident's decision to consent to have contact with law enforcement.

3. Each facility shall have procedures for establishing a resident's consent to any such contact and for documenting the resident's decision. The procedures may provide for (i) notification of the parent or legal guardian, as appropriate and applicable, prior to the commencement of questioning; and (ii) opportunity, at the resident's request, to confer with an attorney, parent or guardian, or other person in making the decision whether to consent to questioning.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-24 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

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

6VAC35-41-610. Personal necessities and hygiene.

A. At admission, each resident shall be provided the following:

1. An adequate supply of personal necessities for hygiene and grooming;

2. A separate bed equipped with a mattress, a pillow, blankets, bed linens, and, if needed, a waterproof mattress cover; and

3. Individual washcloths and towels.

B. At the time of issuance, all items shall be clean and in good repair.

C. Personal necessities shall be replenished as needed.

D. The washcloths, towels, and bed linens shall be cleaned or changed, at a minimum, once every seven days and more often, if needed. Bleach or another sanitizing agent approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency to destroy bacteria shall be used in the laundering of such linens and table linens.

E. Staff shall promote good personal hygiene of residents by monitoring and supervising hygiene practices each day and by providing instruction when needed.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-24 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

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

6VAC35-41-620. Showers.

Residents shall have the opportunity to shower daily, except when a declaration of a state of emergency due to drought conditions has been issued by the Governor or water restrictions have been issued by the locality. Under these exceptional circumstances showers shall be restricted as determined by the facility administrator after consultation with local health officials. The alternate schedule implemented under these exceptional circumstances shall account for cases of medical necessity related to health concerns and shall be in effect only until such time as the water restrictions are lifted.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-24 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

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

6VAC35-41-630. Clothing.

A. Provision shall be made for each resident to have an adequate supply of clean and size-appropriate clothing and shoes for indoor and outdoor wear.

B. Clothes and shoes shall be similar in style to those generally worn by individuals of the same age in the community who are engaged in similar activities.

C. Residents shall have the opportunity to participate in the selection of their clothing.

D. Residents shall be allowed to take personal clothing when leaving the facility.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-24 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

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

6VAC35-41-640. Residents' privacy.

Residents shall be provided privacy while bathing, dressing, or conducting toileting activities. This section does not apply to medical personnel performing medical procedures or to staff providing assistance to residents whose physical or mental disabilities dictate the need for assistance with these activities as justified in the resident's record.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-24 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

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

6VAC35-41-650. Nutrition.

A. Each resident, except as provided in subsection B of this section, shall be provided a daily diet that (i) consists of at least three nutritionally balanced meals and an evening snack, (ii) includes an adequate variety and quantity of food for the age of the resident, and (iii) meets any applicable federal nutritional requirements.

B. Special diets or alternative dietary schedules, as applicable, shall be provided in the following circumstances: (i) when prescribed by a physician or (ii) when necessary to observe the established religious dietary practices of the resident. In such circumstances, the meals shall meet t any applicable federal nutritional requirements.

C. Menus of actual meals served shall be kept on file for at least six months.

D. Staff who eat in the presence of the residents shall be served the same meals as the residents unless a special diet has been prescribed by a physician for the staff or residents or the staff or residents are observing established religious dietary practices.

E. There shall not be more than 15 hours between the evening meal and breakfast the following day, except when the facility administrator approves an extension of time between meals on weekends and holidays. When an extension is granted on a weekend or holiday, there shall never be more than 17 hours between the evening meal and breakfast.

F. Providers shall assure that food is available to residents who for documented medical or religious reasons need to eat breakfast before the 15 hours have expired.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-24 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

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

6VAC35-41-660. School enrollment and study time.

A. The facility shall make all reasonable efforts to enroll each resident of compulsory school attendance age in an appropriate educational program within five school business days after admission and in accordance with § 22.1-254 of the Code of Virginia and Regulations Governing the Reenrollment of Students Committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice (8VAC20-660), if applicable. Documentation of the enrollment and any attempt to enroll the resident shall be maintained in the resident's record.

B. Each provider shall develop and implement written procedures to ensure that each resident has adequate study time.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-24 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

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

6VAC35-41-670. Religion.

A. Residents shall not be required or coerced to participate in or be unreasonably denied participation in religious activities.

B. The provider's procedures on religious participation shall be available to residents and any individual or agency considering placement of an individual in the facility.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-24 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

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

6VAC35-41-680. Recreation.

A. The provider shall have a written description of its recreation program that describes activities that are consistent with the facility's total program and with the ages, developmental levels, interests, and needs of the residents that includes:

1. Opportunities for individual and group activities, both structured and unstructured;

2. Use of available community recreational resources and facilities;

3. Scheduling of activities so that they do not conflict with meals, religious services, educational programs, or other regular events; and

4. Regularly scheduled indoor and outdoor recreational activities that are structured to develop skills and attitudes.

B. The provider shall develop and implement written procedures to ensure the safety of residents participating in recreational activities that include:

1. How activities will be directed and supervised by individuals knowledgeable in the safeguards required for the activities;

2. How residents are assessed for suitability for an activity and the supervision provided; and

3. How safeguards for water related activities will be provided, including ensuring that a certified life guard supervises all swimming activities.

C. For all overnight recreational trips away from the facility, the provider shall document trip planning to include:

1. A supervision plan for the entire duration of the activity including awake and sleeping hours;

2. A plan for safekeeping and distribution of medication;

3. An overall emergency, safety, and communication plan for the activity including emergency numbers of facility administration;

4. Staff training and experience requirements for each activity;

5. Resident preparation for each activity;

6. A plan to ensure that all necessary equipment for the activity is in good repair and appropriate for the activity;

7. A trip schedule giving addresses and phone numbers of locations to be visited and how the location was chosen and evaluated;

8. A plan to evaluate residents' physical health throughout the activity and to ensure that the activity is conducted within the boundaries of the resident's capabilities, dignity, and respect for self-determination;

9. A plan to ensure that a certified life guard supervises all swimming activities in which residents participate; and

10. Documentation of any variations from trip plans and reason for the variation.

D. All overnight out-of-state or out-of-country recreational trips require written permission from each resident's legal guardian. Documentation of the written permission shall be kept in the resident's record.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-24 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

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

6VAC35-41-690. Residents' funds.

A. The provider shall implement written procedures for safekeeping and for recordkeeping of any money that belongs or is provided to residents, including allowances, if applicable.

B. A resident's funds, including any allowance or earnings, shall be used for the resident's benefit, for payments ordered by a court, or to pay restitution for damaged property or personal injury as determined by disciplinary procedures.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-24 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

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

6VAC35-41-700. Fundraising.

The provider shall not use residents in its fundraising activities without the written permission of the legal guardian and the consent of residents.

Statutory Authority

§§ 16.1-309.9, 66-10, and 66-24 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

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

Website addresses provided in the Virginia Administrative Code to documents incorporated by reference are for the reader's convenience only, may not necessarily be active or current, and should not be relied upon. To ensure the information incorporated by reference is accurate, the reader is encouraged to use the source document described in the regulation.

As a service to the public, the Virginia Administrative Code is provided online by the Virginia General Assembly. We are unable to answer legal questions or respond to requests for legal advice, including application of law to specific fact. To understand and protect your legal rights, you should consult an attorney.