Title of Regulation: 22VAC40-185. Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers (amending 22VAC40-185-40).

Statutory Authority: §§ 63.2-217 and 63.2-1734 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: October 19, 2016.

Agency Contact: Tatanishia Armstrong, Licensing Consultant, Department of Social Services, 801 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 726-7152 ext. 7, FAX (804) 726-7132, or email tatanishia.armstrong@dss.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments implement the provisions of Chapter 580 of the 2016 Acts of Assembly, which amended the definition of offense in § 63.2-1719 of the Code of Virginia to include a conviction of any offense set forth in § 9.1-902 that results in the person's requirement to register in the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry. Also an amendment adds a reference to subsection C of § 63.2-1720, which describes a barrier crimes exception for child day centers.

22VAC40-185-40. Operational responsibilities.

A. Applications for licensure shall conform with Chapters 17 (§ 63.2-1700 et seq.) and 18 (§ 63.2-1800 et seq.) of Title 63.2 of the Code of Virginia and the regulation entitled General Procedures and Information for Licensure, 22VAC40-80.

B. Pursuant to §§ § 63.2-1719, subsection C of § 63.2-1720, and § 63.2-1721 of the Code of Virginia and the regulation entitled Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies, 22VAC40-191, the applicant and any agent at the time of application who is or will be involved in the day-to-day operations of the center, or who is or will be alone with, in control of, or supervising one or more of the children, shall be of good character and reputation and shall not be guilty of an offense. Offenses are barrier crimes, conviction of any other felony not included in the definition of barrier crime unless five years have elapsed since conviction, and a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect as defined in § 63.2-1719 of the Code of Virginia.

C. The sponsor shall afford the commissioner or his agents the right at all reasonable times to inspect facilities and to interview his agents, employees, and any child or other person within his custody or control, provided that no private interviews may be conducted with any child without prior notice to the parent of such child.

D. The license shall be posted in a place conspicuous to the public (§ 63.2-1701 of the Code of Virginia).

E. The operational responsibilities of the licensee shall include, but not be limited to, ensuring that the center's activities, services, and facilities are maintained in compliance with these standards, the center's own policies and procedures that are required by these standards, and the terms of the current license issued by the department.

F. Every center shall ensure that any advertising is not misleading or deceptive as required by § 63.2-1713 of the Code of Virginia.

G. The center shall meet the proof of child identity and age requirements as stated in § 63.2-1809 of the Code of Virginia.

H. The sponsor shall maintain public liability insurance for bodily injury for each center site with a minimum limit of at least $500,000 each occurrence and with a minimum limit of $500,000 aggregate.

1. A public sponsor may have equivalent self-insurance that is in compliance with the Code of Virginia.

2. Evidence of insurance coverage shall be made available to the department's representative upon request.

I. The center shall develop written procedures for injury prevention.

J. Injury prevention procedures shall be updated at least annually based on documentation of injuries and a review of the activities and services.

K. The center shall develop written playground safety procedures which shall include:

1. Provision for active supervision by staff to include positioning of staff in strategic locations, scanning play activities, and circulating among children; and

2. Method of maintaining resilient surface.

L. Hospital-operated centers may temporarily exceed their licensed capacity during a natural disaster or other catastrophe or emergency situation and shall develop a written plan for emergency operations, for submission to and approval by the Department of Social Services.

M. When children 13 years or older are enrolled in the program and receive supervision in the licensed program, they shall be counted in the number of children receiving care and the center shall comply with the standards for these children.