VT H0192

Prohibits solitary or room confinement for children in secure facilities except as a temporary response when a child poses a serious and immediate risk of physical harm to themselves or others

Requires staff to attempt de-escalation techniques before confinement, including talking with the child and permitting a qualified mental health professional to intervene

Limits temporary room confinement to a maximum of 3 hours if the child poses risk to others, or 30 minutes if the child poses risk to themselves, with mandatory release once self-control is regained

Mandates staff check on confined children at least every 15 minutes, and requires transfer to another facility if dangerous behavior continues after time limits expire

Defines solitary/room confinement as placement in a locked room or cell for approximately 20 or more hours out of 24; does not apply to regular sleeping hours or single-person housing arrangements