Source: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/9543/full
Timestamp: 2019-05-24 19:50:57
Document Index: 191633765

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 14', 'art 14', 'art 14', 'art 14', 'art 14', 'art 14', 'art 14', 'art 14', 'art 14', 'arts 9543', 'arts 9543', 'arts 9543', 'art 3', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'arts 2', 'art 9543', 'art 2', 'art 9555', 'art 1', 'art 9543', 'art 9543', 'art 3', 'art 9543', 'art 1', 'art 9543', 'art 5', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 1', 'art 14', 'art 9543', 'art 5', 'art 1400', 'arts 9543', 'arts 9543', 'arts 9543', 'arts 9543', 'arts 9543', 'art 3', 'arts 9543', 'art 7', 'art 9543', 'art 1', 'art 9543', 'arts 9543', 'arts 9543', 'art 9543', 'art 2', 'arts 9543', 'art 9543', 'art 2', 'arts 9545', 'art 14']

CHAPTER 9543, LICENSURE OF PROGRAMS
FAMILY DAY CARE AND ADULT AND CHILD FOSTER CARE
9543.0010 PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY.
9543.0030 LICENSING FUNCTIONS.
9543.0050 VARIANCE REQUESTS.
9543.0060 LICENSING FOSTER CARE PROGRAMS.
9543.0070 INVESTIGATIONS OF LICENSED PROGRAMS.
9543.0080 COUNTY INVESTIGATION OF UNLICENSED PROGRAMS.
9543.0090 CORRECTION ORDERS AND CONDITIONAL LICENSE.
9543.0100 NEGATIVE LICENSING ACTIONS.
9543.0110 ENFORCING ORDERS OF COMMISSIONER.
9543.0120 CONTESTED CASE PROCEEDINGS; INFORMAL DISPOSITIONS.
9543.0130 ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS.
9543.0140 COUNTY CERTIFICATION.
9543.0150 PRIVATE AGENCY AUTHORIZATION.
9543.1000 [Repealed, L 2004 c 288 art 1 s 83]
9543.1010 [Repealed, L 2004 c 288 art 1 s 83]
9543.1020 [Repealed, L 2004 c 288 art 1 s 83]
9543.1030 [Repealed, L 2004 c 288 art 1 s 83]
9543.1040 [Repealed, L 2004 c 288 art 1 s 83]
9543.1050 [Repealed, L 2004 c 288 art 1 s 83]
9543.1060 [Repealed, L 2004 c 288 art 1 s 83]
9543.3000 [Repealed, L 2001 1Sp9 art 14 s 36]
9543.3010 [Repealed, L 2001 1Sp9 art 14 s 36]
9543.3020 [Repealed, L 2001 1Sp9 art 14 s 36]
9543.3030 [Repealed, L 2001 1Sp9 art 14 s 36]
9543.3040 [Repealed, L 2001 1Sp9 art 14 s 36]
9543.3050 [Repealed, L 2001 1Sp9 art 14 s 36]
9543.3060 [Repealed, L 2001 1Sp9 art 14 s 36]
9543.3070 [Repealed, L 1997 c 248 s 51 subd 2]
9543.3080 [Repealed, L 2001 1Sp9 art 14 s 36]
9543.3090 [Repealed, L 2001 1Sp9 art 14 s 36]
The purpose of parts 9543.0010 to 9543.0150, is to promote uniform enforcement of rules governing licensure of family day care, adult foster care, family adult day services, and child foster care programs and to establish minimum standards for performing licensing functions related to those rules.
Full applicability to county agencies.
Parts 9543.0040 to 9543.0130 apply in their entirety to county agencies.
Limited applicability to private agencies.
Parts 9543.0040 to 9543.0070, 9543.0090 to 9543.0110, and 9543.0130 apply to private agencies authorized by the commissioner to perform licensing functions related to child foster care.
15 SR 2105; 30 SR 585
Delegation to county agencies.
County agencies are delegated responsibility to perform the following functions related to licensure of programs:
accept and process license applications;
conduct inspections, studies, and evaluations of programs;
recommend approval or denial of applications for licensure;
process variance requests;
monitor compliance with applicable licensing rules;
investigate allegations of license violations;
investigate unlicensed programs;
issue correction orders;
recommend forfeiture orders and negative licensing actions;
enforce orders of the commissioner; and
represent the commissioner in contested case proceedings conducted under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 14.
Delegation to private agencies.
Private agencies must be authorized by the commissioner to perform the following functions related to the licensure of child foster care programs:
monitor compliance with child foster care licensing rules;
assist and cooperate with the commissioner and attorney general in contested case proceedings.
15 SR 2105
A variance request must include the following information:
the part or parts of the rule for which a variance is sought;
the reasons why a variance from the specified provisions is sought;
the period of time for which a variance is requested;
written approval from the fire marshal, building inspector, or health authority when the variance request is for a variance from a fire, building, or health code; and
alternative equivalent measures the applicant or license holder will take to ensure the health and safety of persons served by the program if the variance is granted.
Except as provided in subpart 3, a request for a variance must be submitted in writing by the applicant or license holder.
For variances excluded from the delegation authority under Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.16, subdivision 1, the agency shall forward to the commissioner within ten working days of receipt of the request the information in subpart 1 and the agency's recommendation to approve or deny the request.
The commissioner shall send a written decision to grant or deny the variance request to the applicant or license holder and to the agency.
Foster care capacity variance at request of agency.
The agency may orally request from the commissioner a variance from child foster care capacity limits on behalf of a license holder. If the commissioner grants the variance, the agency shall submit to the commissioner the information in subpart 1 within five working days after the variance is granted.
Additional foster care licensing requirements.
Agencies that perform foster care licensing functions shall comply with the requirements in subparts 2 to 6, in addition to other applicable requirements.
The agency shall provide prospective applicants with information about foster care to enable the prospective applicant to decide whether to apply for licensure. The information must include:
the types of individuals the agency places in foster care;
the responsibilities of foster care license holders and of the agency; and
the agency's policies governing foster care.
Orientation and preplacement training.
The agency shall provide applicants the orientation and preplacement training required in rules governing the program.
Foster care licensing study.
In addition to the licensing study under part 9543.0040, subpart 2, the licensing study of an applicant for foster care must include:
in-person interviews with all family members and other adults living in the household;
social history information; and
an evaluation of whether the individual meets the specific qualifications required in Minnesota Rules governing child foster care or adult foster care.
A written report of the foster care licensing study must be kept in the applicant's record.
Duties of agency.
enter into a foster parent agreement with the license holder for child foster care;
coordinate with placement workers to ensure that the license holder is visited by a placement worker or the licensor at least monthly for the first six months after the first placement in child foster care;
provide the license holder a copy of the annual relicensing evaluation report;
establish a grievance mechanism for resolving differences between the agency and the license holder and provide the license holder with a written description of grievance procedures;
ensure that the foster care provider has a means of contacting the agency 24 hours per day, seven days per week; and
ensure that training is available to enable license holders to meet the training requirements in rules governing foster care programs.
When a foster care program is closed, the agency shall notify the commissioner on forms prescribed by the commissioner.
Reports of abuse or neglect of persons served by licensed programs.
If an agency receives a complaint alleging abuse or neglect of persons served by a program, the agency shall follow the procedures in items A to C.
The agency shall immediately report the complaint to the county child or adult protection unit where the program is located.
The agency shall cooperate with the county child or adult protection unit as requested in conducting the investigation required under part 9555.7300 or 9560.0222.
Upon completion of the investigation, the agency shall take the appropriate licensing action indicated by the findings of the investigation.
Except for reports of abuse, neglect, or maltreatment, the agency shall investigate all complaints of licensing violations received about programs for which it performs licensing functions. The agency shall investigate the complaints according to items A to C:
A complaint that alleges imminent danger or recurring physical injury to persons served by the program must be:
reported according to subpart 1; and
reported to the commissioner immediately.
Investigation of a complaint that does not indicate imminent danger to persons served by the program but that may result in a negative licensing action under part 9543.0100 must begin within three working days after the agency receives the complaint.
Investigation of a complaint that does not involve an issue of safety under item A or B for persons served by the program must begin within ten working days after the agency receives the complaint.
The agency shall gather sufficient information about every complaint to:
make a determination that a licensing violation occurred, did not occur, or no determination can be made; and
if a violation occurred, issue a correction order or recommend a negative licensing action.
The agency shall ensure that the death of a person served by a program is reported to the medical examiner or coroner and ombudsman as required in Minnesota Statutes, sections 626.556, subdivision 9, and 626.557, subdivision 9a.
Recording complaints and investigations.
maintain a register for recording complaints about licensed programs and tracking the status of each investigation;
record in the license holder's file the disposition of each complaint involving the license holder; and
maintain the records according to Minnesota Statutes, section 13.46.
Unlicensed family day care and adult foster care.
When a county agency learns that a family day care or adult foster care program required to be licensed is operating without a license, the county shall, within five working days, notify the operator in writing that a license is required or the program must discontinue operation.
If the operator discontinues the unlicensed operation, no further action is required.
If an operator who is eligible for licensure fails to sign an application form within 30 calendar days after notice that a license is required or fails to cooperate in the licensing study, the county agency shall:
ask the county attorney to take legal action to halt the continued operation of the program or obtain misdemeanor prosecution of the operator; and
inform the commissioner of the unlicensed program.
Nothing in items A and B prevents a county agency from immediately asking the county attorney to seek a court order against the continued operation of an unlicensed program.
Unlicensed child foster care.
The agency shall report to the county child protection unit when it learns of a child in an unlicensed foster care program that is required to be licensed.
Correction order, training.
An agency shall not issue correction orders unless licensors have been trained by the department on procedures for issuing correction orders. A correction order must be on forms prescribed by the commissioner. A copy of the correction order must be kept in the license holder's file.
Criteria for issuing correction orders.
A correction order may be issued if all of the following conditions are met:
the violation does not imminently endanger the health, safety, or rights of persons served by the program;
the violation is not listed in part 9543.0100, subpart 3;
the violation is not serious or chronic; and
the violation will be corrected within a reasonable time.
A correction order must include a specific time period for correcting the violation.
Compliance with correction order.
The agency shall ensure that license holders provide evidence of compliance with a correction order or, if appropriate, recommend further action to the commissioner.
The agency may recommend a conditional license if:
on the basis of factors in part 9543.0100, subpart 1, the agency demonstrates that revocation or suspension of the license is not warranted;
the agency demonstrates that continued operation of the program:
is in the best interests of persons served by the program; and
would not pose a risk of harm to persons served by the program; and
the agency submits to the commissioner a plan for monitoring the program to ensure the safety of persons served during the conditional license.
Basis for recommendation.
When recommending a negative licensing action, the agency shall:
submit to the commissioner the following information:
the citation to laws or rules that have been violated;
the nature and severity of each violation;
whether the violation is recurring or nonrecurring;
the effect of the violation on persons served by the program;
an evaluation of the risk of harm to persons served;
any evaluations of the program by persons served or their families;
relevant facts, conditions, and circumstances concerning the operation of the program, including information identified in part 9543.0040, subpart 5, item C;
any relevant information about the qualifications of the applicant or license holder or persons living in the residence; and
any aggravating or mitigating factors related to the violation; and
notify the county attorney of the recommendation.
Temporary immediate suspension of license.
If the license holder's actions or failure to comply with applicable law or rule poses an imminent risk of harm to the health, safety, or rights of persons served by a program, the agency must take actions described in items A to C:
The agency shall notify the commissioner immediately.
If the commissioner orders a temporary immediate suspension, the agency shall arrange for delivery, by personal service, of written notice of temporary immediate suspension to the license holder. The notice shall state:
the reason for the temporary immediate suspension;
that the program must discontinue operation immediately;
the license holder's right to appeal and an expedited hearing; and
that the commissioner has taken the action.
The agency shall make a recommendation for further action to the commissioner.
Revocation or denial of license.
Violations that are grounds for recommending license revocation or denial include, but are not limited to:
immediate suspension of a license under subpart 2;
a disqualifying crime or conduct listed in Minnesota Statutes, section 245C.15, that has not been set aside under Minnesota Statutes, section 245C.22, or for which a variance has not been granted under Minnesota Statutes, section 245C.30, or in rules governing the program;
a false statement knowingly made by the license holder, on the license application;
failure or refusal to provide the commissioner access to the physical plant and grounds, documents, persons served, and staff;
recurring failure to comply with discipline standards in rules governing the program;
severe or recurring failure to comply with capacity limits; or
licensing violations that occur while the license is probationary or suspended.
The agency may recommend license suspension rather than revocation under subpart 3 if the agency submits information demonstrating:
on the basis of factors in subpart 1, revocation is not warranted; and
suspension rather than revocation:
would not pose a risk of harm to persons served by the program.
Notification of licensee of negative licensing action.
The agency shall give written notice to a license holder when the agency recommends a negative licensing action to the commissioner.
Notice to parents of negative licensing action.
The agency shall give written notice of a negative licensing action to the parents or guardians of children in the programs as follows:
When the agency recommends a negative licensing action to the commissioner, the agency shall immediately inform parents and guardians that a negative licensing action has been recommended and that they will be informed of the commissioner's action on the recommendation.
When the commissioner orders a negative licensing action, the agency shall immediately inform parents and guardians:
that a negative licensing action has been ordered and the circumstances for the action;
the effect of the negative licensing action on the operation of the program; and
that an explanation of the appeal process available to the license holder is available upon request.
If the commissioner does not order a negative licensing action following the agency recommendation, the agency shall inform parents and guardians when the agency receives the commissioner's decision.
Notice of negative licensing action to county.
If a negative licensing action has been ordered against a child foster care program that is supervised by a private agency, the private agency shall notify in writing the county agency in which the program is located and any county that has placements in the home.
MS s 14.386; 14.388; 245A.09; 245A.16; 256.01; 256E.05; 257.175; 393.07
15 SR 2105; 17 SR 3412; L 2001 1Sp9 art 14 s 35; 30 SR 585
Agency enforcement of commissioner orders.
The agency shall enforce and defend all orders of the commissioner, including immediate suspension, suspension, and revocation.
Sanctioned programs.
If the agency has knowledge that a program whose license has been immediately suspended, revoked, or suspended continues to operate, the agency shall immediately report the operation to the county attorney and the commissioner.
Programs on conditional status.
The agency shall monitor a program whose license is on conditional status for compliance with the plan developed under part 9543.0090, subpart 5. If the program fails to comply with the terms of its conditional license, the agency shall immediately report the noncompliance to the commissioner.
The county agency shall represent the commissioner in contested case appeals of negative licensing actions involving license holders supervised by the county agency. The county agency shall:
arrange for legal consultation and representation by the county attorney;
prepare all documents necessary for the contested case proceeding;
within 30 days after receipt of the appeal packet from the department, arrange with the Office of Administrative Hearings for the services of an administrative law judge and a timely date and location for the hearing;
serve the notice of and order for hearing as provided in part 1400.5600; and
send a copy of the notice of and order for hearing to the commissioner.
Appeals involving private agencies.
The attorney general represents the commissioner in contested case appeals of licensing actions involving license holders licensed based on the recommendation of a private agency.
Informal dispositions, stipulated agreements.
In making an informal disposition of a contested case, the county agency shall follow the procedures in items A to D:
The county agency shall obtain preliminary approval from the commissioner to discuss an informal disposition of the contested case.
Before entering into any settlement agreement with an applicant or license holder appealing an order of the commissioner, the county agency shall discuss the terms of the proposed agreement with the commissioner.
If the commissioner approves of the proposed terms, the county agency shall:
draft an agreement and obtain signatures of the party appealing and county representatives;
submit the signed agreement to the commissioner for approval and signatures; the agreement is not effective until signed by the commissioner; and
monitor the program for compliance with the terms of the agreement.
If the commissioner or parties are unable to reach a settlement, the county agency shall schedule a contested case hearing.
The agency must maintain a record file of each applicant and license holder that includes:
all records required by the rules governing the program;
a record of all investigations and dispositions of all investigations according to Minnesota Statutes, section 13.46;
dates and reports of all licensing studies; and
a list of all persons currently being served by the foster care license holder.
Commissioner access.
The agency shall provide the commissioner access to and, if requested, copies of all records and documents in an applicant or license holder's file.
The agency shall require that licensors receive six hours of training each calendar year.
Training must be relevant to licensing functions or to licensed programs.
The agency must keep a record of completed training in each licensor's personnel file.
The agency shall ensure that no agency employee or board member who applies for licensure or who is licensed to operate a program based on the agency's recommendation is involved in any licensing recommendation or action related to that employee or board member.
County agency certification.
The commissioner shall determine whether a county agency is in compliance with parts 9543.0040 to 9543.0130 at least once every four years. When the county agency is in compliance with parts 9543.0040 to 9543.0130, the commissioner shall certify the county agency for four years.
The commissioner shall notify the county agency when the county agency has failed to comply with parts 9543.0040 to 9543.0130. The notice must include:
the deficiencies in the county agency's licensing procedures;
the corrective action necessary to correct the deficiencies; and
the time frame for correction of the deficiencies.
County compliance.
Within 30 calendar days after receiving a notice of noncompliance, the county shall:
demonstrate compliance with parts 9543.0040 to 9543.0130; or
submit to the commissioner for approval a corrective action plan.
Review of corrective action plan.
The commissioner shall review and approve or disapprove the corrective action plan within 30 calendar days after receiving the plan.
If the county agency does not fully comply with parts 9543.0040 to 9543.0130, but the failure to comply does not constitute a risk to persons served by licensed programs, the commissioner may issue a provisional certification of the county agency upon approval of the corrective action plan submitted under subpart 3, item B.
County agency decertification based on demonstrated risk of harm to program participants.
When the commissioner determines that a county agency's failure to comply with parts 9543.0040 to 9543.0130 demonstrates a risk of harm to persons served by licensed programs, the commissioner shall immediately revoke certification of the county agency and initiate sanctions as provided in subpart 7.
Funding sanction.
If the county agency is decertified, the commissioner shall certify a funding reduction according to Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.16, subdivision 6.
Expiration of certification.
A certification issued to a county agency expires at 12:01 a.m. on the day after the expiration date stated on the certification.
Contracting licensing functions.
A county agency must receive prior approval from the commissioner before contracting with an authorized private agency or another county agency to perform licensing functions delegated under part 9543.0030, subpart 1, and remains subject to the certification provisions in part 9543.0140. This subpart does not apply to purchase of service contracts which have as their primary purpose to provide foster care services for individual clients.
Private agency authorization.
The commissioner shall determine private agencies' compliance with parts 9543.0040 to 9543.0070, 9543.0090 to 9543.0110, and 9543.0130. When a private agency is in compliance with parts 9543.0040 to 9543.0070, 9543.0090 to 9543.0110, and 9543.0130, the commissioner shall authorize the private agency to perform licensing functions delegated under part 9543.0030, subpart 2, for a period up to four years. The authorization shall specify the effective and expiration dates of the authorization.
Revocation of private agency's authorization.
When the commissioner determines that a private agency's failure to comply with parts 9543.0040 to 9543.0070, 9543.0090 to 9543.0110, and 9543.0130 demonstrates a risk of harm to persons served by licensed programs, the commissioner shall revoke the private agency's authorization to perform licensing functions under part 9543.0030, subpart 2. Revocation of a private agency's authorization is grounds for negative licensing action against a license issued under parts 9545.0755 to 9545.0845. Revocation of authorization or a negative licensing action may be appealed according to Minnesota Statutes, sections 245A.07 and 245A.08.
15 SR 2105; 18 SR 1593; 30 SR 585
9543.1000
9543.1010
9543.1020
9543.1030
9543.1040
9543.1050
9543.1060
9543.3000
[Repealed, L 2001 1Sp9 art 14 s 36]
9543.3010
9543.3020
9543.3030
9543.3040
9543.3050
9543.3060
9543.3070
[Repealed, L 1997 c 248 s 51 subd 2]
9543.3080
9543.3090