Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 115 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES › Title 115 CMR 7.00 - Standards For All Services And Supports › Section 7.07 - Environmental Standards for All Site Based Services

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(1) All sites where residential supports, 24
			 hour site based respite supports, employment supports and day supports are
			 provided must meet all applicable building, sanitary, health, safety, and
			 zoning requirements.
(2) The
			 environmental requirements 115 CMR of 7.07(3) through (8) shall apply to sites
			 where residential supports, 24 hour site based respite supports, employment
			 supports and day supports are provided, unless supports and services are
			 provided in the home of the family of the individual.
(3) All providers must assure that the sites
			 where supports and services are provided are clean, environmentally safe, free
			 of vermin and obvious fire and chemical hazards, maintained in accordance with
			 common fire safety practices, and of sufficient size to accommodate comfortably
			 the number of individuals and staff it serves. Any objects or conditions that
			 represent a fire hazard greater than that which could be expected of ordinary
			 household furnishings shall not be permitted.
(4) All providers must assure that the sites
			 used by persons with substantial mobility impairment are barrier-free to the
			 extent necessary to permit access to the supports, services, personal, and
			 common areas. A location shall be deemed to be barrier-free, in whole or part,
			 if it meets the applicable standards of 521 CMR:
Architectural Access
			 Board
as adopted by 780 CMR:
Board of Building Regulations and
			 Standards
.
(5) The
			 following environmental requirements shall apply to sites owned or leased by
			 providers of residential supports, individualized home supports and 24 hour
			 site based respite supports, and the homes of care providers.
(a) The site shall include complete living
			 accommodations, including its own kitchen, living room, dining area, bedrooms,
			 and bathrooms of typical residential design. The site shall provide for group
			 and individual needs, including opportunities for privacy in clearly defined
			 living, sleeping, and personal care spaces and areas that are accessible and
			 available according to individual needs to enable personal development, the
			 development of personal relationships, and engagement in leisure
			 activities.
(b) The site shall
			 provide physical comfort as well as a pleasing style of decor and an external
			 appearance that is typical of other homes in the vicinity, except for
			 accommodations that enhance accessibility for individuals.
(c) The layout of rooms shall permit ready
			 access to common areas, with no intrusion into private bedroom areas.
(d) The site shall provide conveniently
			 located common storage adequate for a reasonable amount of individual and group
			 possessions.
(e) Major
			 environmental controls, including those for lighting, appliances, plumbing,
			 windows, and shades shall be operable by and accessible to
			 individuals.
(f) Heating and
			 plumbing systems shall be installed and maintained for safe, healthy, and
			 comfortable use by the individuals supported by the provider.
(g) Heating and ventilation systems shall be
			 adequate to maintain comfortable levels throughout the year.
(h) All substances that are potentially
			 dangerous in nature shall be stored separately from food and in containers
			 which are accurately labeled. No flammable liquids, such as gasoline, shall be
			 stored in the site or in spaces attached to the site.
(i) Lighting shall be adequate to meet the
			 individual and group needs of the residents and shall be provided in all major
			 interior spaces, including walk-in closets and mechanical and storage rooms.
(j) Each individual shall be
			 provided with bedroom space adequate for sleeping, dressing, attending to
			 personal appearance and needs, and caring for his or her personal possessions.
The bedroom shall be of sufficient size to comfortably
				accommodate a bed, dresser, closet space, and adaptive equipment if required,
				and to allow for an individual's privacy and activities.