Utah Admin. Code 277-609-5

Current through Bulletin No. 2024-21, November 1, 2024
Section R277-609-5 - Physical Restraint and Seclusionary Time Out
(1) When used consistently with an LEA plan under Subsection R277-609-4(1):
(a) a physical restraint must be immediately terminated when:
(i) a student is no longer an immediate danger to self or others; or
(ii) a student is in severe distress; and
(b) the use of physical restraint shall be for the minimum time necessary to ensure safety and a release criteria, as outlined in LEA policies, must be implemented.
(2) If a public education employee physically restrains a student, the school or the public education employee shall provide notice as soon as reasonably possible and before the student leaves the school as described in Section R277-609-10 to the student's parent.
(3) A public education employee may not use physical restraint on a student for more than the shortest of the following before stopping, releasing, and reassessing the intervention used:
(a) the amount of time described in the LEA's emergency intervention training program;
(b) 30 minutes; or
(c) when law enforcement arrives.
(4) A public education employee may not use physical restraint as a means of discipline or punishment.
(5) If a public education employee uses seclusionary time out, the public education employee shall:
(a) use the minimum time necessary to ensure safety;
(b) use release criteria as outlined in LEA policies;
(c) ensure that any door remains unlocked consistent with the fire and public safety requirements described in Rules R392-200 and R710-4;
(d) maintain the student within line of sight of the public education employee;
(e) use the seclusionary time out consistent with the LEA's plan described in Section R277-609-4; and
(f) ensure that the enclosed area meets the fire and public safety requirements described in Rules R392-200 and R710-4.
(6) If a student is placed in seclusionary time out, the school or the public education employee shall provide notice as soon as reasonably possible and before the student leaves the school to:
(a) the student's parent; and
(b) school administration.
(7) A public education employee may not place a student in a seclusionary time out for more than 30 minutes.
(8) In addition to the notice described in Subsection (7), if a public education employee places a student in seclusionary time out for more than 15 minutes, the school or the public education employee shall immediately provide notice to:
(a) the student's parent or guardian; and
(b) school administration.
(9) Seclusionary time out may only be used for maintaining safety.
(10) A public education employee may not use seclusionary time out as a means of discipline or punishment.

Utah Admin. Code R277-609-5

Adopted by Utah State Bulletin Number 2015-19, effective 9/3/2015
Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2017-1, effective 12/8/2016
Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2018-11, effective 5/8/2018
Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2020-04, effective 1/22/2020
Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2020-17, effective 8/12/2020
Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2021-17, effective 8/25/2021
Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2022-18, effective 9/9/2022
Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2023-04, effective 2/8/2023
Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2023-13, effective 6/13/2023