Definitions

Conditional Liberty. The placement of a youth in any community-based setting (including home), contingent upon the youth's agreement to abide by certain predetermined rules. Conditional Liberty Agreement. Also known as Grant of Conditional Liberty. A written agreement between a youth and the Department that defines rules of conduct a committed youth must comply with in order to remain at liberty in the community. Emergency. A situation requiring placement or retention of a youth in a secure placement because: (a) the youth is at imminent risk for taking actions that will endanger him or herself or other persons; or (b) the youth's planned Community Placement becomes unavailable without adequate notice to the Department and the Department has no other reasonable community placement options. Hearing Officer. An employee of the Department designated by the Commissioner to hold revocation hearings for youth alleged to have violated the terms of their Conditional Liberty Agreement. (MA REG. # 1329, Dated 12-30-16) Revocation. The process used, pending a hearing, to remove a youth who has allegedly violated his or her Conditional Liberty Agreement from a Community Based Placement, and place him or her in a secure placement where he or she may remain after a determination at the hearing that the youth violated his or her Conditional Liberty Agreement. Treatment Plan. A plan detailing the resources, opportunities, services and goals for each youth, designed to meet his or her developmental and rehabilitative needs and aligned with his or her assessed level of risk, to promote his or her success in the community and public safety.