Administrative Rules of Montana › Department 37 - PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › Chapter 37.51 - YOUTH FOSTER HOMES › Subchapter 37.51.9 - Safety Requirements › Rule 37.51.901 - YOUTH FOSTER HOMES: ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Current through Register Vol. 13, July 5, 2024
(1) The foster home and its premises must be
				comparable to other residences of the community and neighborhood in which it is
				located.
(2) The home must be built
				or manufactured for the purpose of full-time residency.
(3) Every interior door must be designed to
				permit the opening of the locked door from the outside in an
				emergency.
(4) Protective plugs
				must be installed on electrical outlets in all homes occupied by foster
				children under five years of age.
(5) The foster parents shall keep the home
				clean and in good repair and the premises free from objects, materials, and
				conditions that constitute a danger to the occupants.
(6) Foster parents shall protect any foster
				child from any environmental danger or other hazard on the foster care property
				that the foster parent is aware of and that could affect the health, welfare,
				or safety of children in care. The foster parent must notify the licensing
				worker of any existing concern.
(7)
				All foster homes must be equipped with, or provide access to, a landline or
				cellular telephone. Telephone numbers of the placing agency, hospital, police
				department, fire department, ambulance, and poison control center must be
				posted in a place visible to a child in placement.
(8) The foster home must have an adequate and
				safe sewage disposal system.
(9) If
				the home's water supply is not from a municipal system, a foster parent must
				arrange to, at a minimum, have a basic screen water test conducted at least
				annually through the Department of Public Health and Human Services, Public
				Health and Safety Division, Laboratory Services Bureau, Environmental
				Laboratory Section, Cogswell Building, 1400 Broadway, Room B-204, Helena, MT
				59620 to ensure that the water supply remains safe for human consumption.
				Documentation of the test results must be provided to the licensing worker. If
				a home's water supply is obtained from an approved source, but the water is
				stored in a cistern, it is recommended that a basic screen water test be
				conducted each time the water is replaced and the results provided to the
				licensing worker.
(10) Children may
				not be knowingly exposed to unsafe levels of lead as determined by the
				Environmental Protection Agency.
(11) Cleaning materials, flammable liquids,
				detergents, aerosol products, and other poisonous and toxic materials must be
				kept in their original containers or be clearly labeled with both symbols and
				words indicating that the contents are hazardous. Such substances must be kept
				in a place inaccessible to children and shall be childproofed, if possible, and
				be used in such a way that will not contaminate play surfaces, food, food
				preparation areas, or constitute a hazard to the children.
(12) Any pet or animal present at the home
				with the foster parents' permission must not pose a threat to the safety or
				well-being of any child placed in the home.
(a) Any pet or animal present at the home
				with a foster parent's permission must be vaccinated in accordance with local
				laws.
(b) Documentation provided by
				a veterinarian verifying that any pet or animal belonging to a foster parent
				and present at the home is in good health must be provided to the department
				upon request.
(c) Foster parents
				are responsible for their negligent actions and for any resulting injuries that
				may be caused by any animal allowed in or around the foster home.