(1) The director of the Washington center for deaf and hard of hearing youth, or the director's designee, and the superintendent of the state school for the blind shall maintain in writing and implement behavior management policies and procedures that accomplish the following:

(a) Support the child's appropriate social behavior, self-control, and the rights of others;

(b) Foster dignity and self-respect for the child;

(c) Reflect the ages and developmental levels of children in care.

(2) The *state school for the deaf and the state school for the blind shall use proactive, positive behavior support techniques to manage potential child behavior problems. These techniques shall include but not be limited to:

(a) Organization of the physical environment and staffing patterns to reduce factors leading to behavior incidents;

(b) Intervention before behavior becomes disruptive, in the least invasive and least restrictive manner available;

(c) Emphasis on verbal de-escalation to calm the upset child;

(d) Redirection strategies to present the child with alternative resolution choices.

*Reviser's note: The "state school for the deaf" was abolished pursuant to 2009 c 381 s 11 and powers, duties, and functions were transferred to the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss. The "Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss" was renamed the "Washington center for deaf and hard of hearing youth" by 2019 c 266 s 1.

Findings—Intent—2009 c 381: See note following RCW 72.40.015.

Conflict with federal requirements—2000 c 125: See note following RCW 72.40.200.