Florida Administrative Code › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES › 65H - Domestic Violence › Chapter 65H-1 - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE › Section 65H-1.015 - Emergency Shelter Facilities

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) Design,
				Construction, and Accessibility. The provider 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. All shelter facilities maintained by the provider shall meet the
				requirements of Sections 553.501-.5141, F.S., and 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 provider, as described in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 28,
				Section 35.150. 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 provider shall take precautionary measures to provide for the
				safety, confidentiality, privacy, and well-being of shelter residents.
(a) All shelter facilities maintained by the
				provider shall meet all applicable county and municipal building code
				enforcement requirements as provided in subsection (1) of this rule
				chapter.
(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 participants, electronic surveillance systems
				may not be installed in the participants' living quarters 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 outside 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 as defined in Section
				 790.001, F.S., 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. This does not include prescription
				medications.
(h) Smoking is
				prohibited within the shelter facilities, all outdoor play areas, and in
				vehicles when being used to transport center participants. The provider may
				designate specific areas for smoking.
(i) Fire Safety. The provider shall ensure
				that each shelter facility has sprinklers or smoke alarms in each bedroom, and
				in all hallways and common areas. The provider shall ensure that an annual fire
				safety inspection, which conforms to fire safety standards as determined by
				each municipality, county, and special district with fire safety
				responsibilities as defined in section
				 633.028, F.S., is conducted for
				each shelter facility. A current inspection report shall be maintained in the
				center records and made available for inspection upon request.
(j) Health Inspections. The provider shall
				ensure that each shelter facility has an annual sanitation inspection through
				their county health department. A current inspection report shall be maintained
				in the center records and made available for inspection upon
				request.