Section 100. Restrictions on freedoms of everyday life

A. From admission until discharge from a service, each individual is entitled to:

1. Enjoy all the freedoms of everyday life that are consistent with his need for services, his protection, and the protection of others, and that do not interfere with his services or the services of others. These freedoms include:

a. Freedom to move within the service setting, its grounds, and the community;

b. Freedom to communicate, associate, and meet privately with anyone the individual chooses;

c. Freedom to have and spend personal money;

d. Freedom to see, hear, or receive television, radio, books, and newspapers, whether privately owned or in a library or public area of the service setting;

e. Freedom to keep and use personal clothing and other personal items;

f. Freedom to use recreational facilities and enjoy the outdoors; and

g. Freedom to make purchases in canteens, vending machines, or stores selling a basic selection of food and clothing.

2. Receive services in that setting and under those conditions that are least restrictive of his freedom.

B. The provider's duties.

1. Providers shall encourage each individual's participation in normal activities and conditions of everyday living and support each individual's freedoms.

2. Providers shall not limit or restrict any individual's freedom more than is needed to achieve a therapeutic benefit, maintain a safe and orderly environment, or intervene in an emergency.

3. Providers shall not impose any restriction on an individual unless the restriction is justified and carried out according to these regulations. If a provider imposes a restriction, except as provided in 12VAC35-115-50, the following conditions shall be met:

a. A qualified professional involved in providing services has, in advance, assessed and documented all possible alternatives to the proposed restriction, taking into account the individual's medical and mental condition, behavior, preferences, nursing and medication needs, and ability to function independently.

b. A qualified professional involved in providing services has, in advance, determined that the proposed restriction is necessary for effective treatment of the individual or to protect him or others from personal harm, injury, or death.

c. A qualified professional involved in providing services has, in advance, documented in the individual's services record the specific reason for the restriction.

d. A qualified professional involved in providing services has explained, so that the individual can understand, the reason for the restriction, the criteria for removal, and the individual's right to a fair review of whether the restriction is permissible.

e. A qualified professional regularly reviews the restriction and that the restriction is discontinued when the individual has met the criteria for removal.

f. If a court has ordered the provider to impose the restriction or if the provider is otherwise required by law to impose the restriction, the restriction shall be documented in the individual's services record.

4. Providers may develop and enforce written program rules, but only if the rules do not conflict with these regulations or any individual's services plan and are needed to maintain a safe and orderly environment.

5. Providers shall, in the development of these program rules:

a. Get as many suggestions as possible from all individuals who are expected to obey the rules;

b. Apply these rules in the same way to each individual;

c. Give the rules to and review them with each individual and his authorized representative in a way that the individual can understand them, including explaining possible consequences for violating them;

d. Post the rules in summary form in all areas to which individuals and their families have regular access;

e. Submit the rules to the LHRC for review and approval upon request of the advocate or LHRC; and

f. Prohibit individuals from disciplining other individuals, except as part of an organized self-government program conducted according to a written policy approved in advance by the LHRC.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 18, Issue 03, eff. November 21, 2001; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 25, eff. September 19, 2007.

Statutory Authority

§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-400 of the Code of Virginia.