Authority: IC 31-27-2-4

Affected: IC 31-27-5

Sec. 57. (a) The child caring institution shall:

1. (1) have a written discipline policy; and

2. (2) make the policy available to:

   1. (A) placement agencies;
   2. (B) staff;
   3. (C) parents; and
   4. (D) children in care.

(b) Discipline and guidance shall be as follows:

1. (1) Consistent.
2. (2) Based on an understanding of individual needs and development.
3. (3) Promote self-discipline and acceptable social behavior.

(c) Children shall be treated kindly and humanely at all times.

(d) The administrator shall not use, or permit any person to use, any of the following:

1. (1) Cruel, harsh, or unusual punishment.
2. (2) Treatment that is mentally, physically, or emotionally abusive or neglectful.
3. (3) Any humiliating or frightening method to control the actions of any child or group of children.

(e) Children shall not be humiliated or subjected to degrading, abusive, or profane language.

(f) The use of a confinement room and the use of mechanical restraints are prohibited in a group home.

(g) The child caring institution shall prohibit, as a method of discipline, the following:

1. (1) Confinement to a locked or dark room.
2. (2) Use of mechanical restraints.
3. (3) Undue confinement to bed.
4. (4) Deprivation of meals or snacks.
5. (5) Inappropriate assignment of work.
6. (6) Group discipline for an offense by an individual child.
7. (7) Any child or group of children punishing another child.

8. (8) Deprivation of visits or contact with:

   1. (A) parents;
   2. (B) guardian ad litem;
   3. (C) court appointed special advocate; or
   4. (D) placing worker.

(Department of Child Services; 465 IAC 2-13-57; filed Jun 27, 1991, 12:00 p.m.: 14 IR 2056; readopted filed Jul 12, 2001, 1:40 p.m.: 24 IR 4235; filed Jun 23, 2006, 2:24 p.m.: 20060719-IR-465040316FRA; 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 3-15-57) to the Department of Child Services (465 IAC 2-13-57) by P.L.234-2005, SECTION 195, effective July 1, 2005.