Pending
West Virginia SB 486 [PDF] was proposed in February of 2016. The bill pertains to providers of behavioral health services and it mandates training in nonphysical intervention and the safe use of restraint:
1. The bill requires licensure of public and private providers of behavioral health services be linked to staff receiving education and training consisting at a minimum of:
- Techniques to identify staff and consumer behaviors, events, and environmental factors that may trigger potentially dangerous behavior;
- Use of nonphysical intervention skills;
- Selection of least restrictive/least intrusive intervention based on individualized assessment; and
- Safe application of restraint as a last resort if provider policy allows restraint as an intervention.
2. Physical, mechanical, or chemical restraints may be used only as a last resort.
3. Until the training is completed, the staff person shall not work unless accompanied at all times by a staff member, and staff shall be trained and able to demonstrate competency in systematic de-escalation.
CPI Training Can Help Your Organization Comply With the Proposed Legislation
CPI offers training and resources to help health care organizations meet legislative mandates like the training requirements proposed in the West Virginia bill.
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training equips staff with techniques for both the prevention of and the safe use of restraint. With a focus on prevention, the program can help you make staff and clients safer.