§ 40-1-26-4-1

It shall be unlawful for any agency to use prohibited aversive intervention techniques on a person with a developmental disability in the state of Rhode Island. The specific strategies to be prohibited within the context of behavioral treatment interventions include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) Noxious, painful, intrusive stimuli or activities that result in pain; (2) Any form of noxious, painful, or intrusive spray or inhalant; (3) Electric shock; (4) Water spray to the face; (5) Pinches and deep muscle squeezes; (6) Shouting, screaming, or using a loud, sharp, harsh voice to frighten or threaten or use of obscene language; (7) Withholding adequate sleep; (8) Withholding adequate shelter or bedding; (9) Withholding bathroom facilities; (10) Withholding meals, essential nutrition, or hydration; (11) Removal of an individual’s personal property as punishment; (12) Unobserved time-out or room/area solely used for time out; (13) Facial or auditory screening devices; and (14) Use of chemical restraints instead of positive programs or medical treatments. History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 136, § 1.