Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 200 - Board of Education
Chapter 20 - Council on Elementary and Secondary Education
Subchapter 30 - Student Supports
Part 2 - Physical Restraint Regulations
Section 200-RICR-20-30-2.6 - Proper Administration of Physical Restraint/Crisis Intervention

Universal Citation: 200 RI Code of Rules 20 30 2.6

Current through September 18, 2024

A. Trained Personnel. Only personnel who have had training pursuant to § 2.3 of this Part may administer physical restraint/crisis intervention with students. Whenever possible, the administration of a physical restraint/crisis intervention shall be witnessed by at least one adult who does not participate in the restraint. The training requirement contained in § 2.3 of this Part shall not preclude a teacher, employee or agent of a public education program from using reasonable force to protect students, other persons, or themselves from imminent, serious physical harm.

B. Use of Force. A person administering a physical restraint/crisis intervention shall use only the amount of force necessary to protect the student or others from physical injury or harm and shall discontinue the physical restraint/crisis intervention as soon as possible.

C. Safety Requirements. Additional requirements for the use of physical restraint/crisis intervention are:

1. No restraint shall be administered in such a way that the student is prevented from breathing or speaking. During the administration of a restraint, a staff member shall continuously monitor the physical status of the student, including skin color and respiration. A restraint shall be released immediately upon a determination by the staff member administering the restraint that the student is no longer at risk of causing imminent physical harm to him or herself or others.

2. Restraint shall be administered in such a way so as to prevent or minimize physical harm. Prone restraint shall not be used. If, at any time during a physical restraint/crisis intervention, the student demonstrates significant physical distress, the student shall be released from the restraint immediately, and school staff shall take steps to seek medical assistance.

3. Program staff shall review and consider any known medical or psychological limitations and/or behavioral intervention plans regarding the use of physical restraint/crisis intervention on an individual student.

4. Following the release of a student from a restraint, the Public Education Program shall implement follow-up procedures. These procedures shall include reviewing the incident with the student, as appropriate, to address the behavior that precipitated the restraint, reviewing the incident with the staff person(s) who administered the restraint to discuss whether proper restraint procedures were followed, and consideration of whether any follow-up is appropriate for students who witnessed the incident.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Rhode Island 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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