Louisiana Administrative Code › Title 67 - SOCIAL SERVICES › Part V - Child Welfare › Subpart 8 - Residential Licensing › Chapter 71 - Residential Homes-Type IV › Section V-7119 - Physical Environment

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 6, June 20, 2024
A.
				  Physical Appearance and Conditions
1. The
				  provider shall maintain all areas of the facility accessible to residents and
				  children of residents in good repair and free from any reasonably foreseeable
				  hazard to health or safety. All structures on the grounds of the facility shall
				  be maintained in good repair.
2.
				  The provider shall have an effective pest control program to prevent insect and
				  rodent infestation.
3. The provider
				  shall maintain the grounds of the facility in good condition.
a. Garbage and rubbish stored outside shall
				  be secured in noncombustible, covered containers and shall be removed on at
				  least a weekly basis.
b. Trash
				  collection receptacles shall be separate from play area.
c. Fences shall be in good repair.
d. Areas determined to be unsafe, including
				  steep grades; cliffs, open pits, swimming pools, high voltage boosters or
				  high-speed roads (45 mph or higher) shall be fenced or have natural barriers to
				  protect residents and children of residents.
e. Playground equipment shall be so located,
				  installed, and maintained as to ensure the safety of residents and children of
				  residents.
4. Residents
				  and children of residents shall have access to safe, suitable, outdoor
				  recreational space and age appropriate equipment.
5. The provider shall have at least 75 square
				  feet of accessible exterior space for each resident. The exterior space shall
				  be adequate to accommodate one-half the licensed capacity of the
				  facility.
6. In facilities licensed
				  to care for residents less than 10 years of age or licensed to accept children
				  of residents, the outdoor play space shall be enclosed with a permanent fence
				  or other permanent barrier in such a manner as to protect the children from
				  traffic hazards, to prevent the children from leaving the premises without
				  proper supervision, and to prevent contact with animals or unauthorized
				  persons.
7. In facilities licensed
				  to care for residents less than 10 years of age or licensed to accept children
				  of residents, all air conditioning/heating units, mechanical equipment,
				  electrical equipment, or other hazardous equipment shall be inaccessible to
				  children.
8. Culverts are
				  prohibited within outdoor play spaces.
9. In facilities licensed to care for
				  residents less than 10 years of age or licensed to accept children of
				  residents, areas where there are open cisterns, wells, ditches, fish ponds,
				  swimming pools, and other bodies of water shall be made inaccessible to
				  children by fencing and locked gates.
10. All equipment used by residents and
				  children of residents shall be maintained in a clean, safe condition and in
				  good repair.
11. In facilities
				  licensed to care for residents less than 10 years of age or licensed to accept
				  children of residents, all poisons, cleaning supplies, harmful chemicals,
				  equipment, tools, kitchen knives or potentially dangerous utensils, and any
				  substance with a warning label stating it is harmful to or that is should be
				  kept out of reach of children, shall be locked away from and inaccessible to
				  children. Whether these items are in a cabinet or in an entire room, the area
				  shall be locked.
12. The use or
				  possession of alcohol, tobacco in any form, illegal substances, or unauthorized
				  potentially toxic substances on the premises of the residential home is
				  prohibited.
13. No interior door
				  shall have a lock or fastening device that prevents free egress to the exterior
				  of the home from the interior. No exterior door shall have a lock or fastening
				  device that prevents free egress from the interior unless the provider has
				  documentation of written annual approval from the Office of State Fire Marshall
				  (OSFM).