Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1)
The child-caring agency shall have written policies on discipline and behavior
management which shall be provided to each child, parent or guardian,
child-placing agency staff, and the Department. The policies for discipline and
behavior management shall emphasize positive, instead of punitive, methods and
shall include the following:
(a) Means for
teaching children which emphasize praise and encouragement for exhibiting
self-control and desirable behavior;
(b) Methods for protecting children or others
when a child is out of control and the child's behavior is likely to endanger
him or herself, other persons or property.
(2) If separation from others is used as a
control measure, the facility shall have an unlocked, lighted, well-ventilated
room of at least 50 square feet and within hearing distance of a staff member.
The time limit for isolation shall not exceed 60 minutes.
(3) Facility staff shall not:
(a) Use physical punishment, inflicted in any
manner on the body.
(b) Ridicule,
intimidate or verbally abuse children.
(c) Use chemical or mechanical
restraints.
(d) Employ cruel or
humiliating treatment or other emotionally abusive behavior.
(e) Assign excessive exercise or work duties
which are inappropriate to the child's age or development.
(f) Deny food, clothing, shelter, medical
care or prescribed therapeutic activities, or contacts with family, case
manager or legal representatives as a form of punishment.
(g) Threaten a child with removal from the
facility.
(h) Engage in
discriminatory treatment or harassment on the basis of a child's race, national
origin, religion, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, or disability,
or any other characteristic.
(i)
Permit harassment or bullying of children by staff or other youth based on
their race, national origin, religion, gender, gender expression, sexual
orientation, disability, or any other characteristic.
(j) Attempt to change or discourage a child's
sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender
expression.
Rulemaking Authority
409.175(5)(a)
FS. Law Implemented 409.175(5)(a)1., 13.
FS.
New 7-1-87, Formerly 10M-9.030, Amended 10-20-16, Formerly
64C-14.021.
