Administrative Rules of Montana
Department 37 - PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Chapter 37.106 - HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
Subchapter 37.106.16 - Minimum Standards for a Forensic Mental Health Facility
Rule 37.106.1609 - SECURED UNITS

Universal Citation: MT Admin Rules 37.106.1609

Current through Register Vol. 18, September 20, 2024

(1) A forensic mental health facility (FMHF) must have one or more separate secured unit(s) within the facility for housing clients that includes bedrooms and common space.

(2) A secured unit must be staffed at all times clients are present in the unit.

(3) A secured unit must have a staff station to include the following:

(a) provisions for charting;

(b) provisions for hand washing;

(c) provisions for secured medication storage and preparation; and

(d) telephone access.

(4) A secured unit must have access to a nourishment station or to a kitchen that must include the following:

(a) a work counter;

(b) a refrigerator;

(c) storage cabinets;

(d) a sink;

(e) space for trays and dishes used for nonscheduled meal service;

(f) hand washing facilities immediately accessible to clients and staff; and

(g) ice for client consumption provided by icemaker-dispenser units or periodically made available during the day.

(5) A common space within each secured unit must be provided at a ratio of 35 square feet per client.

(6) The corridors of a secured unit must have general illumination with provisions for reducing light levels at night.

(7) No more than one client must reside in a bedroom.

(8) Client bedrooms must be at a minimum of 70 square feet and must include the following:

(a) a bed with a waterproof mattress;

(b) a small wardrobe, dresser, shelves, or bed compartment for storage of clients' personal items;

(c) general lighting and night lighting, control for night lighting may be located outside the room at the room entrance;

(d) electrical outlets that are tamper-resistant and GFI-protected, outlets may be controlled from outside of the room;

(e) a window with a minimum of 248 square inches of glazing which must be designed to limit the opportunity for clients to inflict serious harm as a result of breaking the window and using pieces to inflict harm on themselves or others. Windows:
(i) must be of tempered glass or laminated safety glass to resist impact loads; and

(ii) if operable, must have security locks.

(9) Sinks and toilets may be provided in client rooms. The fixtures may be controlled from outside of the room.

(10) An FMHF must not use automatic door closures unless required. If required, such closures must be mounted on the public side of the door within view of a staff work station or under video surveillance.

(11) An FMHF must use doors that:

(a) have door hinges designed to minimize points for hanging (i.e., cut hinge type); and

(b) have tamper-resistant fasteners.

(12) An FMHF must provide:

(a) at least one toilet for every eight clients;

(b) at least one bathing unit for every twelve clients, a shower or tub is not required if the FMHF utilizes a central bathing unit for all clients; and

(c) doors to toilet rooms or bathing units that swing out or slide into the wall and which must be capable of being unlocked from the outside.

(13) Toilet rooms and bathing units may be under key control by staff.

(14) An FMHF must not use towel bars, clothing rods, hooks, or lever handles.

AUTH: 50-5-103, MCA; IMP: 50-5-103, 50-5-201, 50-5-204, MCA

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Montana may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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