37 Tex. Admin. Code § 341.710 - Mechanical Restraint

The use of mechanical restraints is governed by the following criteria.

(1) Requirements.

(A) Only approved mechanical restraint devices may be used by the juvenile probation department.

(B) Mechanical restraints must be used only in a manner consistent with their intended use.

(C) Mechanical restraint devices must be inspected at least once each year, no later than the last day of the calendar month of the previous year's inspection. The dates of the inspections must be documented.

(D) Faulty or malfunctioning devices must be restricted from use until they are repaired. Any maintenance performed must adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines.

(2) Prohibitions.

(A) Mechanical restraint devices may not be altered from the manufacturer's design.

(B) A juvenile may not be placed in a prone position while restrained in any mechanical restraint for a period of time longer than necessary to apply the restraint devices.

(C) A mechanical restraint may not be used to secure a juvenile in a prone, supine, or lateral position with the juvenile's arms and hands behind his/her back and secured to his/her legs.

(D) Mechanical restraint devices may not be secured so tightly as to interfere with circulation or so loosely as to cause chafing of the skin.

(E) Mechanical restraint devices may not be used to secure a juvenile to a stationary object.

(F) A juvenile in mechanical restraints may not participate in any physical activity.

(G) Plastic cuffs may be used only in emergency situations.

Notes

37 Tex. Admin. Code § 341.710

Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 41, Number 30, July 22, 2016, TexReg 5442, eff. 1/1/2017