Authority: IC 31-27-2-4

Affected: IC 31-27-3

Sec. 59. (a) Mechanical restraints shall be used only if the child is a clear and present danger to himself/herself or others and therapeutic crisis intervention techniques have been attempted and failed or are diagnostically eliminated prior to use.

(b) If an institution uses mechanical restraints, the institution shall develop policies and procedures on their usage that include the following:

1. (1) Description of the types of mechanical restraints used.
2. (2) Criteria for use.
3. (3) Staff authorized to approve use.
4. (4) Staff authorized and trained to apply restraints.
5. (5) Procedures for application.
6. (6) Staff training requirements.
7. (7) Time limitations on use.
8. (8) Monitoring requirements while child is in restraints.

(c) Documentation of mechanical restraint training shall be in each employee's personnel record.

(d) An institution shall not use any form of restraint until the policies and procedures in subsection (b) have been approved by the SDPW.

(e) A record shall be maintained of each incident of mechanical restraint and placed in the child's record that includes the following information:

1. (1) Date and time of incident.
2. (2) Name of child.
3. (3) Form of restraint used.
4. (4) Length of time in restraint.
5. (5) Name and title of person who authorized use of restraint.
6. (6) Name and title of person applying the restraint.
7. (7) Name of person responsible for monitoring the child while in restraints.
8. (8) Description of child's behavior prior to, during, and after use of restraints.
9. (9) Treatment team assessment of the effectiveness of the restraint and future alternatives.

(Department of Child Services; 465 IAC 2-11-59; filed Jun 27, 1991, 12:00 p.m.: 14 IR 2014; readopted filed Jul 12, 2001, 1:40 p.m.: 24 IR 4235; readopted filed Nov 27, 2007, 6:52 a.m.: 20071226-IR-465070551RFA; readopted filed Nov 26, 2013, 4:02 p.m.: 20131225-IR-465130459RFA; readopted filed Oct 10, 2019, 10:42 a.m.: 20191106-IR-465190320RFA; readopted filed Oct 15, 2025, 10:46 a.m.: 20251112-IR-465250623RFA) NOTE: Transferred from the Division of Family Resources (470 IAC 3-13-59) to the Department of Child Services (465 IAC 2-11-59) by P.L.234-2005, SECTION 195, effective July 1, 2005.