2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 63. Public Health and Safety › §63-1-865.3. Department of Human Services – Powers and duties – Sheltered workshops.

A. The Department of Human Services shall have the power and duty to:
1. Enforce any provision of the Sheltered Workshop Act;
2. Issue, renew, deny, modify, suspend, and revoke licenses for sheltered workshops pursuant to the provisions of the Sheltered Workshop Act; provided, however, providers of sheltered workshop services that have a contract with the Developmental Disabilities Services Division of the Department of Human Services or the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to provide sheltered workshop services as of November 1, 2011, shall be deemed to be licensed, subject to the continuing requirements of the Sheltered Workshop Act;
3. Establish and enforce standards and requirements for licensure and operation of sheltered workshops that are subject to the provisions of the Sheltered Workshop Act and require the submission of, and to review, reports from any person establishing or operating a sheltered workshop;
4. Enter upon any public or private property for the purpose of inspecting and investigating conditions of the sheltered workshop for compliance with the provisions of the Sheltered Workshop Act, or the standards and requirements for licensure and operation of sheltered workshops developed by the Department pursuant to the provisions of the Sheltered Workshop Act;
5. Employ or designate personnel to conduct investigations and inspections, to make reports of the condition of sheltered workshops, and to take necessary action pursuant to the provisions of the Sheltered Workshop Act to protect and safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of service recipients;
6. Advise, consult, and cooperate with other agencies of this state, the federal government, other states and interstate agencies, and with affected groups and political subdivisions to further the purposes of the Sheltered Workshop Act;
7. Investigate, request or otherwise obtain the information necessary to determine the qualifications and background of an applicant for licensure or contract;
8. Provide the sheltered workshop thirty (30) days written notice that its license is to be suspended or revoked, and shall take action at the end of that time if the sheltered workshop remains out of compliance. However, if the health and safety of service recipients is threatened, the suspension or revocation shall be effective immediately and the sheltered workshop shall be closed;
9. Notify holders of suspended or revoked licenses that they shall be entitled to a hearing before Department licensure officials if requested within ten (10) days of their notification. The hearing shall be held at least ten (10) days before final action is taken and conducted pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act; and
10. Reinstate suspended licenses if deficiencies are corrected within a time frame established by the Department.
B. The Department of Human Services shall develop rules establishing minimum standards for sheltered workshops. These standards, at minimum, shall regulate:
1. Physical plant expectations to include physical facilities, ventilation, and accessibility;
2. Staffing requirements;
3. Staff training;
4. Staff qualifications; and
5. Service recipient records.
Added by Laws 2011, c. 65, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2011.