1. A. The Director or the Director's designee may take appropriate disciplinary action against any client who violates the Center's regulations and procedures, or whose behavior is disruptive to the operations of the Center's programs and services. The severity of the disciplinary action shall be based on the nature and scope of the client's behavior. Disciplinary action may range from imposing appropriate restrictions on the client's privileges at the Center to temporary or permanent suspension from the Center.
2. B. Restrictions on Privileges. The case manager or residential services staff, or both, as appropriate, may impose appropriate disciplinary actions involving restrictions on privileges and shall inform the client of the disciplinary action and the reasons for the action. The case manager or residential services staff, or both, as appropriate, shall, in a timely manner, notify the referral source of the disciplinary action and reasons for the action.

3. C. Temporary or Permanent Suspension.

   1. (1) The Center's Assistant Director, with the active participation of the referral source, shall implement the temporary or permanent suspension of a client from the Center.

   2. (2) The Assistant Director shall:

      1. (a) Give the client oral and written notice of the suspension and the reasons for the suspension;
      2. (b) Inform the client and the client's representative of the Client Assistance Program;
      3. (c) Inform the client and the client's representative that the client may request reconsideration of the Assistant Director's decision to the Director of the Center;
      4. (d) Inform the client and the client's representative that the client may appeal the decision in accordance with COMAR 13A.11.07.03; and
      5. (e) Notify the referral source in writing of the client's suspension.
   3. (3) A temporary suspension may not exceed 30 program days on the first occurrence.
4. D. A client whose presence in the Center poses a continuing danger to self or others may be suspended from the Center immediately, pending the reconsideration and appeal process.
5. E. The disciplinary action taken against a client shall be documented in the client's record.
6. F. A client who has been temporarily suspended from a program of services may not be permitted to return to the Center until a case conference is held between the client or the client's representative, the case manager, the referral source, and any other Center staff who are providing services to the client. At the case conference, the case manager shall establish the conditions under which the client may return to the Center, including any restrictions which may be imposed, or whether the suspension should be extended or made permanent.

Authority: Education Article, §§21-301—21-304, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: April 16, 1990 (17:7 Md. R. 850)

Regulation .01 amended effective October 1, 2001 (28:19 Md. R. 1687)

Regulation .02 amended effective October 1, 2001 (28:19 Md. R. 1687)

Chapter revised effective August 28, 2006 (33:17 Md. R. 1438)

Regulation .02B amended effective January 12, 2009 (36:1 Md. R. 23)

Regulation .04E amended effective January 12, 2009 (36:1 Md. R. 23)

Regulation .05A amended effective January 21, 2013 (40:1 Md. R. 21)

Regulation .07 amended effective January 12, 2009 (36:1 Md. R. 23)

Regulation .08A amended effective November 30, 2009 (36:24 Md. R. 1859)

Regulation .08G repealed effective January 12, 2009 (36:1 Md. R. 23)

Regulation .09C amended effective January 12, 2009 (36:1 Md. R. 23)

Regulation .09D repealed effective January 12, 2009 (36:1 Md. R. 23)

Regulation .10C amended effective November 30, 2009 (36:24 Md. R. 1859)

Regulation .12B, E amended effective January 21, 2013 (40:1 Md. R. 21)

Regulation .14G amended effective November 30, 2009 (36:24 Md. R. 1859)

Regulation .14H amended effective January 21, 2013 (40:1 Md. R. 21)

Regulation .15 amended effective January 12, 2009 (36:1 Md. R. 23); November 30, 2009 (36:24 Md. R. 1859)

Regulation .16B amended effective January 12, 2009 (36:1 Md. R. 23)

Regulation .18B amended effective November 30, 2009 (36:24 Md. R. 1859)

Regulation .19D, E amended effective January 12, 2009 (36:1 Md. R. 23)

Chapter revised effective July 20, 2015 (42:14 Md. R. 882)