Connecticut General Statutes Title 46A. Human Rights § 46a-150. Definitions

(1) “Provider of care or supervision of a person at risk” and “provider” mean a person who provides direct care or supervision of a person at risk.

(2) “Assistant provider of care or supervision of a person at risk” and “assistant” mean a person assigned to provide, or who may be called upon in an emergency to provide, assistance or security to a provider of care or supervision of a person at risk.

(3) “Person at risk” means a person receiving care or supervision in an institution or facility operated by, licensed or authorized to operate by or operating pursuant to a contract with the Departments of Public Health, Developmental Services, Children and Families, or Mental Health and Addiction Services.   The term does not include a person in the custody of the Commissioner of Correction, or a resident or patient of a nursing home subject to federal regulations concerning restraint of residents or patients.

(4) “Life-threatening physical restraint” means any physical restraint or hold of a person that restricts the flow of air into a person's lungs, whether by chest compression or any other means.

(5) “Physical restraint” means any mechanical or personal restriction that immobilizes or reduces the free movement of a person's arms, legs or head.  The term does not include:  (A) Briefly holding a person in order to calm or comfort the person;  (B) restraint involving the minimum contact necessary to safely escort a person from one area to another;  (C) medical devices, including, but not limited to, supports prescribed by a health care provider to achieve proper body position or balance;  (D) helmets or other protective gear used to protect a person from injuries due to a fall;  or (E) helmets, mitts and similar devices used to prevent self injury when the device is part of a documented treatment plan and is the least restrictive means available to prevent such self-injury.

(6) “Psychopharmacologic agent” means any medication that affects the central nervous system, influencing thinking, emotion or behavior.

(7) “Seclusion” means the confinement of a person in a room, whether alone or with staff supervision, in a manner that prevents the person from leaving, except that in the case of seclusion at Long Lane School, the term does not include the placing of a single child or youth in a secure room for the purpose of sleeping.