Licensees must comply with the following regarding children's and youth's use of technology:

1. (1) Develop and follow technology usage policies and procedures approved by the department that include the following, as applicable:

   1. (a) A description of the allowed access and use by children and youth in care to devices used on-site or off-site connected to the internet including, but not limited to:

      1. (i) Cell phones;
      2. (ii) Computers;
      3. (iii) Tablets; and
      4. (iv) Gaming devices;
   2. (b) Specific types of technology that are prohibited from the program for a health, safety, or well-being reason and what the reason is;
   3. (c) Rules for technology use in and outside the facility;
   4. (d) Technology use restrictions for violating the technology use rules; and
   5. (e) A description of the technology training that will be provided to children and youth in care;

2. (2) Provide a copy of the technology policies and procedures when children and youth are placed, to the:

   1. (a) Children or youth according to their developmental capabilities; and
   2. (b) Child's or youth's representatives;

3. (3) Develop and document a technology access plan when children's or youth's technology access needs to be restricted for the health, safety, or well-being of themselves or others. This plan must:

   1. (a) Be created in consultation with them; and

   2. (b) Include:

      1. (i) Input from their representatives; and

      2. (ii) Information about:

         1. (A) The type of technology they will have restricted access to;
         2. (B) Where, when, and how they will be restricted;
         3. (C) The areas impeding their ability to successfully use the technology; and
         4. (D) Actions they can take that would allow them to restore unrestricted access in the future; and
4. (4) Review and update the technology access plan with the children and youth quarterly or more frequently if they show signs of mental distress or overuse.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.15.030. WSR 25-23-103, s 110-145-3070, filed 11/18/25, effective 5/1/26.]