1. A. A facility employee may not place a youth in locked door seclusion as punishment.

2. B. A facility employee may place a youth in locked door seclusion only:

   1. (1) When it is clearly necessary to protect the youth or other individuals or to prevent escape; and
   2. (2) After less restrictive methods have been tried or cannot reasonably be tried.

3. C. Time Limitations.

   1. (1) A youth may not remain in locked door seclusion more than 24 hours without the review and approval of the superintendent or the duty officer, who shall provide a written explanation for the decision. If one of these administrators was involved in the incident, the other one makes the determination.
   2. (2) After the decision has been made to keep a youth in locked door seclusion for more than 24 hours, the youth shall be seen by the superintendent or the duty officer at least once during each 12-hour period.
   3. (3) The maximum stay in seclusion as a result of a single incident may not exceed 72 hours, unless a declared written emergency is issued by the superintendent.
4. D. Release. A youth shall be released from locked door seclusion when the youth no longer fits the criteria for placement in locked door seclusion.

Authority: Human Services Article, §§9-226—9-229, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: June 22, 1992 (19:12 Md. R. 1136)

Chapter recodified from COMAR 16.05.02 to COMAR 16.18.02 effective June 18, 2007 (34:12 Md. R. 1067)