Alabama Administrative Code › Title 305 - ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS › LAW ENFORCEMENT PLANNING DIVISION › Chapter 305-4-4 - ADECA Domestic Violence Center Procedures › Section 305-4-4-.03 - Minimum Standards

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
In addition to the minimum standards set forth in
Code of Ala. 1975
, §
									30-7-2 et seq., the following minimum standards for domestic violence centers shall be
				  used by the Department of Economic and Community Affairs to determine
				  membership in the coalition or other qualified entity and eligibility for
				  receiving funds administered by the Department of Economic and Community
				  Affairs. Coalition members and their board members may participate in the
				  development of standards, but are prohibited from participating in the review
				  process and final approval of standards.
(1) Design, Construction, and Accessibility.
				The domestic violence center shall ensure that the design and construction of
				new shelter facilities or alterations to an existing facility meet the minimum
				requirements of the applicable state and local governing agencies. No new
				certifications shall be issued after September 30th,
				2015 to any domestic violence center whose shelter facility is not in
				compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible
				Design in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 28, Part 36, Appendix A.
				Facilities certified prior to the effective date of this rule must meet these
				minimum standards except where the cost of compliance with a particular
				standard would impose an undue burden on the domestic violence center, as
				described in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 28, Section 35.150.
				Non-compliant facilities must have policies and procedures in place detailing
				what accommodations will be made to ensure service needs are met. Any
				alteration to a shelter facility certified prior to the effective date of this
				rule must meet the accessibility guidelines described above, as provided in the
				Code of Federal Regulations, Title 28, Section 36.402.
(2) Physical Safety and Well-being. The
				domestic violence center shall take precautionary measures to provide for the
				safety, confidentiality, privacy, and well-being of shelter residents.
(a) All shelter facilities maintained by the
				domestic violence center or its subcontractors shall meet all applicable county
				and municipal building code enforcement requirements when performing new
				construction or additions to existing facilities.
(b) All shelter facilities must be in good
				repair, free from health and safety hazards, clean, and free from vermin
				infestation.
(c) To protect the
				privacy of shelter clients, electronic surveillance systems may not be
				installed in the clients' bedrooms or bathrooms of the shelter facilities.
				Electronic surveillance systems may be installed at entrance and exit doors and
				parking areas.
(d) All outside
				doors shall remain locked from the inside at all times; all windows shall be
				secured against entry; and outside and entrance way lighting shall be in place
				and functioning.
(e) If an outside
				play area is made available for children, the area shall be free of debris and
				broken or dangerous materials, and shall be routinely checked for safety. Play
				areas shall be fenced in accordance with local ordinances to prevent access by
				children to all water hazards within or adjacent to outdoor play areas, such as
				pools, ditches, retention, and fish ponds. The outdoor play area shall have and
				maintain safe and adequate fencing or walls a minimum of four feet in height.
				Fencing, including gates, must be continuous and shall not have gaps that would
				allow children to exit the outdoor play area. The base of the fence must remain
				at ground level and be free from erosion or build-up to prevent inside or
				outside access by children or animals. If the play area is in view of the
				public, privacy fencing is required.
(f) No firearms or weapons shall be allowed
				within any building or upon any person located on the premises, excluding
				federal, state, or local law enforcement officers.
(g) No narcotics, alcohol, or other impairing
				drugs shall be present on the premises; except those prescribed by a licensed
				medical professional.
(h) Smoking
				is prohibited within the shelter facilities, all outdoor play areas, and in
				vehicles when being used to transport center clients. The domestic violence
				center shall designate specific areas for smoking.