Source: http://muhaz.org/2300-determining-whether-a-program-is-subject-to-or-exempt-fro.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 22:03:18+00:00

Document:
A program is not subject to regulation if it is not a type of child care operation that is subject to DFPS regulation. Such a program does not have to meet the requirements of a specific exemption under Texas Human Resources Code (HRC) §42.041(b).
An exempt program would be subject to regulation if it did not meet the requirements of a specific exemption under Texas Human Resources Code (HRC) §42.041(b).
• complying with the statutes, rules, or standards that govern regulated child care in Texas.
• fails to inform Licensing about a change in the status of a program that would require the program to be licensed or registered.
Moreover, a person may be prosecuted for a Class B misdemeanor for operating a child care operation without the appropriate permit from DFPS.
• a program submits an exemption determination form.
Licensing staff must first determine whether the program meets the statutory definition of a type of operation that is subject to DFPS regulation.
• the appropriate exemption determination form.
a. Request that the program complete and return the appropriate exemption determination form and any supporting documentation (this is a request only, since the program is not required to comply).
• consult with the Licensing supervisor or the designated regional subject matter expert to determine whether the program is subject to regulation or if additional information is needed to make a decision.
• enters a Closure Date and selects Not Subject To Regulation from the Closure Reason dropdown menu on the Illegal Operation main page.
If Licensing staff determines the program may be subject to regulation, and the program wants to claim an exemption, see 2320 Determining Whether a Program Is Exempt From Regulation.
If the program wants to apply for a permit, see 3130 The Application Process.
6. select Not Subject to Licensing Regulation from the Closure Reason field drop down menu.
If it is determined that the program meets the requirements to be exempt, Licensing staff follows the steps in 2323 Documenting Exemption Decisions In Class.
If it is determined that the program is not exempt and is subject to regulation, Licensing staff follows the steps in 2322.21 Program Is Not Exempt.
A program may be exempt from regulation based on statute and administrative rule.
• include additional documentation to verify the program description.
See 2322 Processing the Exemption.
To determine whether a program is exempt from regulation, Licensing staff request that the program submit the appropriate exemption determination form (see 2320 Determining Whether a Program Is Exempt From Regulation for a list of these forms).
a. Require the person in charge of the program to complete and return the appropriate exemption determination form and any supporting documentation within 14 days of receiving the form from Licensing.
b. Enter the exemption into CLASS on the Exemption Requests & Background Check Only Entities page.
c. Evaluate the information received.
d. Consult with the Licensing supervisor or the designated regional subject matter expert to determine whether additional information is needed to make a decision.
e. Conduct an inspection of the operation, if necessary.
• in writing, by sending the appropriate Exemption Response letter located in the DFPS automated forms system.
A person who believes his or her educational program is exempt under the provisions of DFPS Rule §745.119(1),(2),(3) may contact Licensing to determine if an exemption form needs to be completed.
c. the names and addresses of the other educational programs or operations that are members of the accrediting organization. This list must be updated when new members are accredited or members cease to be accredited.
Also see 2371 Standard Educational Programs.
If Licensing staff determines that a program is exempt from DFPS regulation, Licensing staff notifies the operation and follows procedures in 2325 Closing an Exempt Program in CLASS.
If Licensing staff determines that a program is not exempt and subject to regulation, the program must take immediate steps to become regulated.
3. enter the date the operation was notified and the reason for the decision in the Action Reason narrative box.
d. leaves the exemption open in CLASS until the investigation is complete.
Licensing staff does not close the exemption in CLASS until the program meets the requirements for becoming regulated or meets the criteria to be exempt from Licensing regulation. See 2325 Closing an Exempt Program in CLASS.
A program that disagrees with Licensing’s decision that it must be regulated may request an administrative review. See 7710 Administrative Reviews.
Licensing staff document in the CLASS system all determinations made about an exemption status.
• to include information that is not clearly explained on the appropriate exemption determination form.
It is not appropriate to leave the Action Reason narrative box blank or enter a Texas Administrative Code rule number as a reference, instead of entering details.
e. select the appropriate exemption category from the Closure Reason drop down menu.
Programs that meet the requirements to be exempt from Licensing regulation based on the statute, administrative rule, or both, may request a permit to be licensed, registered, or listed only if the program needs a permit to accept federal or state funding.
A program that accepts a permit under these circumstances must comply with all applicable provisions of the Texas Human Resources Code, Chapter 42, administrative rules, and minimum standards.
If a governing body runs an exempt program and an operation that is subject to DFPS regulation at the same location, they must be separate from each other.
c. have a written plan that describes how the caregivers from each program supervise children when using shared spaces such as restrooms and indoor and outdoor activity areas at the same time.
If the programs cannot be kept separate, both are subject to regulation.
To ensure that an exempt program at the same location as one that is subject to regulation operates separately, Licensing staff request the person who operates the programs to submit documentation describing how the program complies with the requirement that the programs are kept separate.
• conduct an inspection at the programs, if necessary, to observe whether the program is in compliance with the requirements that the programs are kept separate.
c. provides care outside the designated school year (see Appendix 2000-2: Determining Whether a Program or Operation is Regulated by Licensing – Questions and Answers, Items B.5 and B.6).
A facility operated on a federal installation, including military bases or Indian reservations, is exempt from regulation by Licensing because a state agency has no jurisdiction or authority to regulate such facilities.
Certain state-operated programs are exempt from regulation by Licensing. All other state-operated programs must be certified by Licensing.
A youth camp licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is exempt from regulation by Licensing.
Operations licensed by DFPS that operate a summer camp must continue to operate under the DFPS license during the summer months. See Appendix 2000-2: Determining Whether a Program or Operation Is Regulated by Licensing – Questions and Answers, items A. 1-5.
• is regularly inspected by at least one local governmental entity for compliance with health and safety standards.
a. The standards of care for the program are annually adopted by ordinance after a public hearing.
b. The standards of care must include staffing ratios and qualifications, facility health and safety standards, and monitoring and enforcement provisions.
c. The standards of care are provided to the parents of each program participant.
d. The parents of each program participant are informed that the program is not licensed by the state.
e. The program is not advertised as child care.
Certain programs of limited duration are exempt from regulation by Licensing.
a. The program operates in association with a shopping center, business, religious organization, or other elective activity.
b. The program does not advertise as a child care facility or day care center and informs parents that it is not licensed by the state.
• for up to 15 hours per week, if care is provided so that a parent may attend an educational class provided by a nonprofit entity in a county of 800,000 or more and the county is adjacent to an international border.
However, there are no time limits for the child of a caregiver at the program as long as the child is with the caregiver.
e. The program’s caregivers are able to contact the parent or person responsible for the child at all times.
A small business that offers child care services to its employees does not qualify for this exemption. Small businesses that provide care for children whose parents or guardians work in the same building where the child care is offered are subject to regulation as described in Texas Human Resources Code, Subchapter F, §42.151. Regulation of Employer-Based Day Care Facilities.
A temporary shelter, such as a family violence or homeless shelter that offers child care services to its residents does not qualify for this exemption. Temporary shelters that provide care for children whose parent or guardian reside in the same building where the child care is offered are subject to regulation as described in Texas Human Resources Code, Subchapter G, §42.201 Regulation of Temporary Shelter Day Care Facilities.
• the program is not part of an operation subject to Licensing regulation.
• the program lasts for two weeks or fewer.
c. each child is being sponsored by an organization or by the provider with whom they are living.
Certain accredited educational programs are exempt from regulation by Licensing, as identified in the table below.
Applying for or being in the process of accreditation does not constitute accreditation.
• is accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), or the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC).
For educational facilities that also provide residential child care, see DFPS Rules §745.125 which addresses whether additional exemption criteria are required for such facilities.
For a list of accrediting organizations approved by TEPSAC see Appendix 2000-1: Organizations Whose Members May Qualify for Exemption.
For information concerning charter schools, see Appendix 2000-2: Determining Whether a Program or Operation Is Regulated by Licensing – Questions and Answers, Item B.
For information on collaborative programs, such as an independent school district (ISD) that operates a Head Start program or a program that combines Head Start and prekindergarten, see Appendix 2000-2, Item C.
A child-care program operated by the school district for its employees (bus drivers, teachers, custodians, kitchen workers, and so on) is subject to licensure.
• serves children ages 3 to 5 (up to the child’s fifth birthday).
• offers a curriculum for before- or after-care that has been approved by TEA, SACS, or TEPSAC.
Exception: An after-school program is not exempt from regulation by Licensing if it is operated by a contractor for a charter school. See Appendix 2000-2: Determining Whether a Program or Operation Is Regulated by Licensing – Questions and Answers, Item B.3.
Rationale: TEA does not approve the curricula for after-school programs offered at charter schools.
• follows the state, county, or municipal health, safety, and fire codes.
Also see 2322.11 Actions Taken by the Accrediting Organization When an Educational Program Is Exempt.
• the same pattern of grade clustering as found in the public elementary schools (grades one through six) in the local school district.
• Parents retain primary responsibility for their child’s financial support, health problems, or serious personal problems.
• Residential child care is provided solely to facilitate the students’ participation in the educational program and must not exist apart from the educational aspect of the program.
The following miscellaneous programs are exempt from regulation by Licensing.
• The program provides activities designed for the recreation of children ages 5 through 13.
• The governing body of the program adopts standards for care. At a minimum, the standards must include staffing ratios, staff training, health and safety standards, and mechanisms for assessing and enforcing the program’s compliance with the standards for care.
• The program does not collect compensation for its services. Compensation is anything of value received from the parent in exchange for the care of the child. The program can accept only a nominal annual fee for membership.
• The program is organized as a nonprofit organization, or is located at the participant’s residence.
• The program informs each parent that it is not regulated by Licensing. The program must also establish a policy explaining how it informs parents that Licensing does not regulate the program. The policy may either be provided in writing or verbally. The program is not advertised or represented as a regulated operation.
• The program provides a process to receive and resolve complaints from parents.
• The program conducts criminal background checks on all employees and volunteers who work with the children. Background checks must include information from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Neighborhood recreation programs that serve children who are 5 through 13 years old are not considered day care or after-school care. Day care and after-school care offer a specific type of service that parents depend on for child care.
Neighborhood recreation programs that do not meet all requirements to be exempt from regulation may meet the definition for school-age program. School-age programs are subject to Licensing regulation under Chapter 744.
• does not advertise or represent as a regulated operation.
See DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §745.129(2).
Rationale: The program is operated or intended to be operated as a child-care program, school-age program, or a before-school or after-school program.
Single-skill programs that do not meet all requirements to be exempt from regulation may meet the definition for school-age program. School-age programs are subject to Licensing regulation under Chapter 744.
• The caregiver is caring for only one child or sibling group and is not related to the child or sibling group.
• The caregiver knows the child or sibling group, or the family of the child or sibling group, before providing care.
• The caregiver does not receive compensation or solicit donations for the care of the child or sibling group. Compensation is anything of value, beyond the child’s normal expenses, received by the caregiver from the parent in exchange for care of the child. Compensation does not include Medicaid, insurance, or other governmental benefits or assistance.
• The caregiver has a written agreement with the parent to care for the child or siblings.
See DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §745.129(3).
(2) a family violence center that meets the requirements listed under Texas Human Resources Code §51.005(b)(3), as determined by the Health and Human Services Commission.
See DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §745.129(4).
• The caregiver has a longstanding and significant relationship with the child.
• DFPS is the managing conservator of the child.
• The program serves an evening meal to children who are 2 years old or older.
• The program is operated by a nonprofit food bank in a nonprofit, religious, or educational facility for not more than two hours a day on regular business days.
Texas Human Resources Code §42.041(b)(16).
(2) Is a family violence center that meets the requirements listed under Texas Human Resources Code §51.005(b)(3), as determined by the Health and Human Services Commission.
See DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §745.129(7).
A foster home or foster group home that is regulated by a child-placing agency (CPA) is exempt by law from regulation by Licensing.
The CPA verifies and monitors the home’s compliance with standards. See 2200 Types of Child Care Permits and Multiple Operations and its subitems.
A state-operated facility is exempt by law from regulation by Licensing.
c. has been operated for at least 10 years by a nonprofit organization that provides care for the homeless.

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