New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 18 - DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES › Chapter II - Regulations of the Department of Social Services › Subchapter C - Social Services › Article 3 - Child-care Agencies › Part 444 - Host Family Homes › Subpart D - Administration of Host Family Home Program › Section 444.16 - Approval of Host Family Homes

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
(a) Host
			   family homes must meet the following health and safety standards requirements:
(1) The host family home must be in good
			   condition and present no hazard to the health and safety of children.
(2) The host family home must be in
			   substantial compliance with all applicable state and local laws, ordinances,
			   rules, and regulations.
(3) The
			   physical space, construction and maintenance of the host family home and
			   premises must be in good repair and kept in a sufficiently clean and sanitary
			   condition so that the physical well-being as well as a reasonable degree of
			   physical comfort is assured to the members of the host family home.
(4) Separate bedrooms are required for
			   children of the opposite sex over 7 years of age, unless the children are
			   siblings or half-siblings sharing the same bedroom and the alternative sleeping
			   arrangement is consistent with the health, safety, and welfare of each of the
			   siblings or half-siblings and is necessary to keep the siblings or
			   half-siblings together in the same host family home.
(5) Not more than three persons may occupy
			   any bedroom where children placed in the host family home sleep, unless the
			   children are siblings or half-siblings and the occupancy is consistent with the
			   health, safety, and welfare of each of the siblings or half-siblings and is
			   necessary to keep the siblings or half-siblings placed together in the same
			   host family home.
(6) No bed may be
			   located in any unfinished attic or basement.
(7) No child above the age of 3 may sleep in
			   the same room with an adult of the opposite sex unless it is their
			   parent.
(8) Each child must have
			   sleeping space of sufficient size for the safety, comfort, and privacy of the
			   child. Each child must have a separate bed or crib of sufficient size and
			   cleanliness for the comfort and well-being of the child with waterproof
			   covering, if needed, and suitable bedding adequate to the season. Bunk beds may
			   be used.
(9) There must be an
			   adequate and safe supply of water for drinking and household use. Water from
			   wells, springs, or other private sources must be protected against
			   contamination. There must be provision for hot water for washing and
			   bathing.
(10) The dwelling must
			   have window barriers, including window screens, guards, and/or stoppers above
			   the first floor of the host family home.
(11) Heating apparatus must be safe and
			   adequate to provide for the reasonable comfort of children in the host family
			   home.
(12) Adequate bathing,
			   toilet, and lavatory facilities must be provided and kept in sanitary
			   condition.
(13) The host family
			   home must be free from fire hazards and equipped with at least one smoke
			   detector and carbon monoxide detector.
(14) No approved host family home my rent
			   rooms to lodgers or boarders or conduct any business on the premises that might
			   adversely affect the welfare of children, unless permitted by the Agency that
			   approved the host family home.
(15)
			   All firearms, rifles, and shotguns, as defined in section 265.00  of the Penal Law, must be securely
			   stored and must be maintained in compliance with applicable state and local
			   standards regarding the licensing, storage, and maintenance of such
			   weapons.