Section 510. Searches of residents

A. Each facility that conducts searches shall have procedures that provide that all searches shall be subject to the following:

1. Searches of residents' persons shall be conducted only for the purposes of maintaining facility security and controlling contraband while protecting the dignity of the resident.

2. Searches are conducted only by personnel who are authorized to conduct such searches.

3. The resident shall not be touched any more than is necessary to conduct the search.

B. Facilities that do not conduct searches of residents shall have a procedure prohibiting them.

C. Patdown and frisk searches shall be conducted by personnel of the same sex as the resident being searched, except in emergencies.

D. Strip searches and visual inspections of the vagina and anal cavity areas shall only be permitted (i) if ordered by a court; (ii) if conducted by law-enforcement personnel acting in his official capacity; or (iii) if the facility obtains the approval of the regulatory authority to conduct such searches. A facility that conducts such searches shall have a procedure that provides that the searches shall be subject to the following:

1. The search shall be performed by personnel of the same sex as the resident being searched;

2. The search shall be conducted in an area that ensures privacy; and

3. Any witness to the search shall be of the same sex as the resident.

E. Manual and instrumental searches of the anal cavity or vagina shall be prohibited unless court ordered.

Historical Notes

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

Statutory Authority

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