Jurris.COM
Chapter 3.6. Family Day Care Homes of California Health And Safety Code >> Division 2. >> Chapter 3.6.
The Legislature finds and declares:
(a) It has a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of children in family homes that provide day care.
(b) That there are insufficient numbers of regulated family day care homes in California.
(c) There will be a growing need for child day care facilities due to the increase in working parents.
(d) Many parents prefer child day care located in their neighborhoods in family homes.
(e) There should be a variety of child care settings, including regulated family day care homes, as suitable alternatives for parents.
(f) That the program to be operated by the state should be cost effective, streamlined, and simple to administer in order to ensure adequate care for children placed in family day care homes, while not placing undue burdens on the providers.
(g) That the state should maintain an efficient program of regulating family day care homes that ensures the provision of adequate protection, supervision, and guidance to children in their homes.
(a) It has a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of children in family homes that provide day care.
(b) That there are insufficient numbers of regulated family day care homes in California.
(c) There will be a growing need for child day care facilities due to the increase in working parents.
(d) Many parents prefer child day care located in their neighborhoods in family homes.
(e) There should be a variety of child care settings, including regulated family day care homes, as suitable alternatives for parents.
(f) That the program to be operated by the state should be cost effective, streamlined, and simple to administer in order to ensure adequate care for children placed in family day care homes, while not placing undue burdens on the providers.
(g) That the state should maintain an efficient program of regulating family day care homes that ensures the provision of adequate protection, supervision, and guidance to children in their homes.
The department shall provide written documentation to
providers of the need for repairs, renovations, or additions when
requested for an application for a loan guarantee pursuant to
subdivision (d) of Section 8277.6 of the Education Code whenever the
repairs, renovations, or additions are required by the department in
order for the licensee to maintain or obtain a license for more than
six children.
(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that family day
care homes for children should be situated in normal residential
surroundings so as to give children the home environment which is
conducive to healthy and safe development. It is the public policy of
this state to provide children in a family day care home the same
home environment as provided in a traditional home setting.
The Legislature declares this policy to be of statewide concern
with the purpose of occupying the field to the exclusion of municipal
zoning, building and fire codes and regulations governing the use or
occupancy of family day care homes for children, except as
specifically provided for in this chapter, and to prohibit any
restrictions relating to the use of single-family residences for
family day care homes for children except as provided by this
chapter.
(b) Every provision in a written instrument entered into relating to real property which purports to forbid or restrict the conveyance, encumbrance, leasing, or mortgaging of the real property for use or occupancy as a family day care home for children, is void and every restriction or prohibition in any such written instrument as to the use or occupancy of the property as a family day care home for children is void.
(c) Except as provided in subdivision (d), every restriction or prohibition entered into, whether by way of covenant, condition upon use or occupancy, or upon transfer of title to real property, which restricts or prohibits directly, or indirectly limits, the acquisition, use, or occupancy of such property for a family day care home for children is void.
(d) (1) A prospective family day care home provider, who resides in a rental property, shall provide 30 days' written notice to the landlord or owner of the rental property prior to the commencement of operation of the family day care home.
(2) For family day care home providers who have relocated an existing licensed family day care home program to a rental property on or after January 1, 1997, less than 30 days' written notice may be provided in cases where the department approves the operation of the new location of the family day care home in less than 30 days, or the home is licensed in less than 30 days, in order that service to the children served in the former location not be interrupted.
(3) A family day care home provider in operation on rental or leased property as of January 1, 1997, shall notify the landlord or property owner in writing at the time of the annual license fee renewal, or by March 31, 1997, whichever occurs later.
(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon commencement of, or knowledge of, the operation of a family day care home on his or her property, the landlord or property owner may require the family day care home provider to pay an increased security deposit for operation of the family day care home. The increase in deposit may be required notwithstanding that a lesser amount is required of tenants who do not operate family day care homes. In no event, however, shall the total security deposit charged exceed the maximum allowable under existing law.
(5) Section 1596.890 shall not apply to this subdivision.
(b) Every provision in a written instrument entered into relating to real property which purports to forbid or restrict the conveyance, encumbrance, leasing, or mortgaging of the real property for use or occupancy as a family day care home for children, is void and every restriction or prohibition in any such written instrument as to the use or occupancy of the property as a family day care home for children is void.
(c) Except as provided in subdivision (d), every restriction or prohibition entered into, whether by way of covenant, condition upon use or occupancy, or upon transfer of title to real property, which restricts or prohibits directly, or indirectly limits, the acquisition, use, or occupancy of such property for a family day care home for children is void.
(d) (1) A prospective family day care home provider, who resides in a rental property, shall provide 30 days' written notice to the landlord or owner of the rental property prior to the commencement of operation of the family day care home.
(2) For family day care home providers who have relocated an existing licensed family day care home program to a rental property on or after January 1, 1997, less than 30 days' written notice may be provided in cases where the department approves the operation of the new location of the family day care home in less than 30 days, or the home is licensed in less than 30 days, in order that service to the children served in the former location not be interrupted.
(3) A family day care home provider in operation on rental or leased property as of January 1, 1997, shall notify the landlord or property owner in writing at the time of the annual license fee renewal, or by March 31, 1997, whichever occurs later.
(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon commencement of, or knowledge of, the operation of a family day care home on his or her property, the landlord or property owner may require the family day care home provider to pay an increased security deposit for operation of the family day care home. The increase in deposit may be required notwithstanding that a lesser amount is required of tenants who do not operate family day care homes. In no event, however, shall the total security deposit charged exceed the maximum allowable under existing law.
(5) Section 1596.890 shall not apply to this subdivision.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) Family day care homes operated under the standards of state law constitute accessory uses of residentially zoned and occupied properties and do not fundamentally alter the nature of the underlying residential uses. Family day care homes draw clients and vehicles to their sites during a limited time of day and do not require the attendance of a large number of employees and equipment.
(b) The uses of congregate care facilities are distinguishable from the uses of family day care homes operated under the standards of state law. For purposes of this section, a "congregate care facility" means a "residential facility," as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502. Congregate care facilities are used throughout the day and night, and the institutional uses of these facilities are primary uses of the facilities, not accessory uses, and draw a large number of employees, vehicles, and equipment compared to that drawn to family day care homes.
(c) The expansion permitted for family day care homes by Sections 1597.44 and 1597.465 is not appropriate with respect to congregate care facilities, or any other facilities with quasi-institutional uses. Therefore, with these provisions, the Legislature does not intend to alter the legal standards governing congregate care facilities and these provisions are not intended to encourage, or be a precedent for, changes in statutory and case law governing congregate care facilities.
(a) Family day care homes operated under the standards of state law constitute accessory uses of residentially zoned and occupied properties and do not fundamentally alter the nature of the underlying residential uses. Family day care homes draw clients and vehicles to their sites during a limited time of day and do not require the attendance of a large number of employees and equipment.
(b) The uses of congregate care facilities are distinguishable from the uses of family day care homes operated under the standards of state law. For purposes of this section, a "congregate care facility" means a "residential facility," as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502. Congregate care facilities are used throughout the day and night, and the institutional uses of these facilities are primary uses of the facilities, not accessory uses, and draw a large number of employees, vehicles, and equipment compared to that drawn to family day care homes.
(c) The expansion permitted for family day care homes by Sections 1597.44 and 1597.465 is not appropriate with respect to congregate care facilities, or any other facilities with quasi-institutional uses. Therefore, with these provisions, the Legislature does not intend to alter the legal standards governing congregate care facilities and these provisions are not intended to encourage, or be a precedent for, changes in statutory and case law governing congregate care facilities.
A small family day care home may provide care for more
than six and up to eight children, without an additional adult
attendant, if all of the following conditions are met:
(a) At least one child is enrolled in and attending kindergarten or elementary school and a second child is at least six years of age.
(b) No more than two infants are cared for during any time when more than six children are cared for.
(c) The licensee notifies each parent that the facility is caring for two additional schoolage children and that there may be up to seven or eight children in the home at one time.
(d) The licensee obtains the written consent of the property owner when the family day care home is operated on property that is leased or rented.
(a) At least one child is enrolled in and attending kindergarten or elementary school and a second child is at least six years of age.
(b) No more than two infants are cared for during any time when more than six children are cared for.
(c) The licensee notifies each parent that the facility is caring for two additional schoolage children and that there may be up to seven or eight children in the home at one time.
(d) The licensee obtains the written consent of the property owner when the family day care home is operated on property that is leased or rented.
All of the following shall apply to small family day care
homes:
(a) The use of a single-family residence as a small family day care home shall be considered a residential use of property for the purposes of all local ordinances.
(b) No local jurisdiction shall impose a business license, fee, or tax for the privilege of operating a small family day care home.
(c) Use of a single-family dwelling for purposes of a small family day care home shall not constitute a change of occupancy for purposes of Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 17910) of Division 13 (State Housing Law) or for purposes of local building codes.
(d) A small family day care home shall not be subject to Article 1 (commencing with Section 13100) or Article 2 (commencing with Section 13140) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 12, except that a small family day care home shall contain a fire extinguisher and smoke detector device that meet standards established by the State Fire Marshal and one or more functioning carbon monoxide detectors that meet the requirements of Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 13260) of Part 2 of Division 12. The department shall account for the presence of the carbon monoxide detectors during inspections.
(a) The use of a single-family residence as a small family day care home shall be considered a residential use of property for the purposes of all local ordinances.
(b) No local jurisdiction shall impose a business license, fee, or tax for the privilege of operating a small family day care home.
(c) Use of a single-family dwelling for purposes of a small family day care home shall not constitute a change of occupancy for purposes of Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 17910) of Division 13 (State Housing Law) or for purposes of local building codes.
(d) A small family day care home shall not be subject to Article 1 (commencing with Section 13100) or Article 2 (commencing with Section 13140) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 12, except that a small family day care home shall contain a fire extinguisher and smoke detector device that meet standards established by the State Fire Marshal and one or more functioning carbon monoxide detectors that meet the requirements of Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 13260) of Part 2 of Division 12. The department shall account for the presence of the carbon monoxide detectors during inspections.
All of the following shall apply to large family day care
homes:
(a) A city, county, or city and county shall not prohibit large family day care homes on lots zoned for single-family dwellings, but shall do one of the following:
(1) Classify these homes as a permitted use of residential property for zoning purposes.
(2) Grant a nondiscretionary permit to use a lot zoned for a single-family dwelling to a large family day care home that complies with local ordinances prescribing reasonable standards, restrictions, and requirements concerning spacing and concentration, traffic control, parking, and noise control relating to those homes, and complies with subdivision (e) and regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to that subdivision. Noise standards shall be consistent with local noise ordinances implementing the noise element of the general plan and shall take into consideration the noise level generated by children. The permit issued pursuant to this paragraph shall be granted by the zoning administrator or, if there is no zoning administrator, by the person or persons designated by the planning agency to grant these permits, upon the certification without a hearing.
(3) Require a large family day care home to apply for a permit to use a lot zoned for single-family dwellings. The zoning administrator or, if there is no zoning administrator, the person or persons designated by the planning agency to handle the use permits, shall review and decide the applications. The use permit shall be granted if the large family day care home complies with local ordinances, if any, prescribing reasonable standards, restrictions, and requirements concerning the following factors: spacing and concentration, traffic control, parking, and noise control relating to those homes, and complies with subdivision (e) and regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to that subdivision. Noise standards shall be consistent with local noise ordinances implementing the noise element of the general plan and shall take into consideration the noise levels generated by children. The local government shall process a required permit as economically as possible. Fees charged for review shall not exceed the costs of the review and permit process. An applicant may request a verification of fees, and the city, county, or city and county shall provide the applicant with a written breakdown within 45 days of the request. Beginning July 1, 2007, the application form for large family day care home permits shall include a statement of the applicant's right to request the written fee verification. Not less than 10 days prior to the date on which the decision will be made on the application, the zoning administrator or person designated to handle the use permits shall give notice of the proposed use by mail or delivery to all owners shown on the last equalized assessment roll as owning real property within a 100-foot radius of the exterior boundaries of the proposed large family day care home. A hearing on the application for a permit issued pursuant to this paragraph shall not be held before a decision is made unless a hearing is requested by the applicant or other affected person. The applicant or other affected person may appeal the decision. The appellant shall pay the cost, if any, of the appeal.
(b) In connection with an action taken pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (a), a city, county, or city and county shall do all of the following:
(1) Upon the request of an applicant, provide a list of the permits and fees that are required by the city, county, or city and county, including information about other permits that may be required by other departments in the city, county, or city and county, or by other public agencies. The city, county, or city and county shall, upon request of an applicant, also provide information about the anticipated length of time for reviewing and processing the permit application.
(2) Upon the request of an applicant, provide information on the breakdown of any individual fees charged in connection with the issuance of the permit.
(3) If a deposit is required to cover the cost of the permit, provide information to the applicant about the estimated final cost to the applicant of the permit, and procedures for receiving a refund from the portion of the deposit not used.
(c) A large family day care home shall not be subject to the provisions of Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code.
(d) Use of a single-family dwelling for the purposes of a large family day care home shall not constitute a change of occupancy for purposes of Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 17910) of Division 13 (State Housing Law), or for purposes of local building and fire codes.
(e) A large family day care home shall have one or more functioning carbon monoxide detectors that meet the requirements of Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 13260) of Part 2 of Division 12. The department shall account for the presence of the carbon monoxide detectors during inspections.
(f) Large family day care homes shall be considered as single-family residences for the purposes of the State Uniform Building Standards Code and local building and fire codes, except with respect to any additional standards specifically designed to promote the fire and life safety of the children in these homes adopted by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to this subdivision. The State Fire Marshal shall adopt separate building standards specifically relating to the subject of fire and life safety in large family day care homes, which shall be published in Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. These standards shall apply uniformly throughout the state and shall include, but not be limited to: (1) the requirement that a large family day care home contain a fire extinguisher or smoke detector device, or both, that meets standards established by the State Fire Marshal; (2) specification as to the number of required exits from the home; and (3) specification as to the floor or floors on which day care may be provided. Enforcement of these provisions shall be in accordance with Sections 13145 and 13146. No city, county, city and county, or district shall adopt or enforce a building ordinance or local rule or regulation relating to the subject of fire and life safety in large family day care homes that is inconsistent with those standards adopted by the State Fire Marshal, except to the extent the building ordinance or local rule or regulation applies to single-family residences in which day care is not provided.
(g) The State Fire Marshal shall adopt the building standards required in subdivision (d) and any other regulations necessary to implement this section.
(a) A city, county, or city and county shall not prohibit large family day care homes on lots zoned for single-family dwellings, but shall do one of the following:
(1) Classify these homes as a permitted use of residential property for zoning purposes.
(2) Grant a nondiscretionary permit to use a lot zoned for a single-family dwelling to a large family day care home that complies with local ordinances prescribing reasonable standards, restrictions, and requirements concerning spacing and concentration, traffic control, parking, and noise control relating to those homes, and complies with subdivision (e) and regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to that subdivision. Noise standards shall be consistent with local noise ordinances implementing the noise element of the general plan and shall take into consideration the noise level generated by children. The permit issued pursuant to this paragraph shall be granted by the zoning administrator or, if there is no zoning administrator, by the person or persons designated by the planning agency to grant these permits, upon the certification without a hearing.
(3) Require a large family day care home to apply for a permit to use a lot zoned for single-family dwellings. The zoning administrator or, if there is no zoning administrator, the person or persons designated by the planning agency to handle the use permits, shall review and decide the applications. The use permit shall be granted if the large family day care home complies with local ordinances, if any, prescribing reasonable standards, restrictions, and requirements concerning the following factors: spacing and concentration, traffic control, parking, and noise control relating to those homes, and complies with subdivision (e) and regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to that subdivision. Noise standards shall be consistent with local noise ordinances implementing the noise element of the general plan and shall take into consideration the noise levels generated by children. The local government shall process a required permit as economically as possible. Fees charged for review shall not exceed the costs of the review and permit process. An applicant may request a verification of fees, and the city, county, or city and county shall provide the applicant with a written breakdown within 45 days of the request. Beginning July 1, 2007, the application form for large family day care home permits shall include a statement of the applicant's right to request the written fee verification. Not less than 10 days prior to the date on which the decision will be made on the application, the zoning administrator or person designated to handle the use permits shall give notice of the proposed use by mail or delivery to all owners shown on the last equalized assessment roll as owning real property within a 100-foot radius of the exterior boundaries of the proposed large family day care home. A hearing on the application for a permit issued pursuant to this paragraph shall not be held before a decision is made unless a hearing is requested by the applicant or other affected person. The applicant or other affected person may appeal the decision. The appellant shall pay the cost, if any, of the appeal.
(b) In connection with an action taken pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (a), a city, county, or city and county shall do all of the following:
(1) Upon the request of an applicant, provide a list of the permits and fees that are required by the city, county, or city and county, including information about other permits that may be required by other departments in the city, county, or city and county, or by other public agencies. The city, county, or city and county shall, upon request of an applicant, also provide information about the anticipated length of time for reviewing and processing the permit application.
(2) Upon the request of an applicant, provide information on the breakdown of any individual fees charged in connection with the issuance of the permit.
(3) If a deposit is required to cover the cost of the permit, provide information to the applicant about the estimated final cost to the applicant of the permit, and procedures for receiving a refund from the portion of the deposit not used.
(c) A large family day care home shall not be subject to the provisions of Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code.
(d) Use of a single-family dwelling for the purposes of a large family day care home shall not constitute a change of occupancy for purposes of Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 17910) of Division 13 (State Housing Law), or for purposes of local building and fire codes.
(e) A large family day care home shall have one or more functioning carbon monoxide detectors that meet the requirements of Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 13260) of Part 2 of Division 12. The department shall account for the presence of the carbon monoxide detectors during inspections.
(f) Large family day care homes shall be considered as single-family residences for the purposes of the State Uniform Building Standards Code and local building and fire codes, except with respect to any additional standards specifically designed to promote the fire and life safety of the children in these homes adopted by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to this subdivision. The State Fire Marshal shall adopt separate building standards specifically relating to the subject of fire and life safety in large family day care homes, which shall be published in Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. These standards shall apply uniformly throughout the state and shall include, but not be limited to: (1) the requirement that a large family day care home contain a fire extinguisher or smoke detector device, or both, that meets standards established by the State Fire Marshal; (2) specification as to the number of required exits from the home; and (3) specification as to the floor or floors on which day care may be provided. Enforcement of these provisions shall be in accordance with Sections 13145 and 13146. No city, county, city and county, or district shall adopt or enforce a building ordinance or local rule or regulation relating to the subject of fire and life safety in large family day care homes that is inconsistent with those standards adopted by the State Fire Marshal, except to the extent the building ordinance or local rule or regulation applies to single-family residences in which day care is not provided.
(g) The State Fire Marshal shall adopt the building standards required in subdivision (d) and any other regulations necessary to implement this section.
A large family day care home may provide care for more
than 12 children and up to and including 14 children, if all of the
following conditions are met:
(a) At least one child is enrolled in and attending kindergarten or elementary school and a second child is at least six years of age.
(b) No more than three infants are cared for during any time when more than 12 children are being cared for.
(c) The licensee notifies a parent that the facility is caring for two additional schoolage children and that there may be up to 13 or 14 children in the home at one time.
(d) The licensee obtains the written consent of the property owner when the family day care home is operated on property that is leased or rented.
(a) At least one child is enrolled in and attending kindergarten or elementary school and a second child is at least six years of age.
(b) No more than three infants are cared for during any time when more than 12 children are being cared for.
(c) The licensee notifies a parent that the facility is caring for two additional schoolage children and that there may be up to 13 or 14 children in the home at one time.
(d) The licensee obtains the written consent of the property owner when the family day care home is operated on property that is leased or rented.
(a) Whenever any licensee under this chapter has
reasonable cause to believe that a child in his or her care has
suffered any injury or has been subjected to any act of violence
while under the licensee's care, the licensee shall, as soon as
possible, report that injury or act of violence to the parent,
parents, or guardian of that child.
(b) (1) A report shall be made to the department by telephone or fax during the department's normal business hours before the close of the next working day following the occurrence during the operation of a family day care home of any of the following events:
(A) Death of any child from any cause.
(B) Any injury to any child that requires medical treatment.
(C) Any unusual incident or child absence that threatens the physical or emotional health or safety of any child.
(2) In addition to the report required pursuant to paragraph (1), a written report shall be submitted to the department within seven days following the occurrence of any events specified in paragraph (1). The report shall contain all of the following information:
(A) Child's name, age, sex, and date of admission.
(B) Date and nature of the event.
(C) Attending physician's name and findings and treatment, if any.
(D) Disposition of the case.
(c) The department may develop the report form to be used for reporting purposes pursuant to this section, and shall maintain all reports filed under this section in a manner that allows the department to report the data to the Legislature.
(d) The failure of a licensee to report, as prescribed by this section, any injury of, or act of violence to, a child under the licensee's care may be grounds for the suspension of his or her license pursuant to this chapter, but shall not constitute a misdemeanor.
(e) Nothing in this section shall relieve any licensee of any obligation imposed by other law including, but not limited to, laws relating to seeking medical attention for a child or reporting suspected child abuse.
(b) (1) A report shall be made to the department by telephone or fax during the department's normal business hours before the close of the next working day following the occurrence during the operation of a family day care home of any of the following events:
(A) Death of any child from any cause.
(B) Any injury to any child that requires medical treatment.
(C) Any unusual incident or child absence that threatens the physical or emotional health or safety of any child.
(2) In addition to the report required pursuant to paragraph (1), a written report shall be submitted to the department within seven days following the occurrence of any events specified in paragraph (1). The report shall contain all of the following information:
(A) Child's name, age, sex, and date of admission.
(B) Date and nature of the event.
(C) Attending physician's name and findings and treatment, if any.
(D) Disposition of the case.
(c) The department may develop the report form to be used for reporting purposes pursuant to this section, and shall maintain all reports filed under this section in a manner that allows the department to report the data to the Legislature.
(d) The failure of a licensee to report, as prescribed by this section, any injury of, or act of violence to, a child under the licensee's care may be grounds for the suspension of his or her license pursuant to this chapter, but shall not constitute a misdemeanor.
(e) Nothing in this section shall relieve any licensee of any obligation imposed by other law including, but not limited to, laws relating to seeking medical attention for a child or reporting suspected child abuse.
The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to
preclude any city, county, or other local public entity from placing
restrictions on building heights, setback, or lot dimensions of a
family day care facility as long as such restrictions are identical
to those applied to other single-family residences. The provisions of
this chapter shall not be construed to preclude the application to a
family day care facility for children of any local ordinance which
deals with health and safety, building standards, environmental
impact standards, or any other matter within the jurisdiction of a
local public entity. The provisions of this chapter also shall not be
construed to prohibit or restrict the abatement of nuisances by a
city, county, or city and county. However, such ordinance or nuisance
abatement shall not distinguish family day care facilities from
other single-family dwellings, except as otherwise provided in this
chapter.
(a) Licensing reviews of a family day care home for
children shall be limited to health and safety considerations and
shall not include any reviews of the content of any educational or
training programs of the facility.
(b) No home shall be licensed or registered as a large family day care home after January 1, 1984, unless the provider has at least one year's experience as a regulated small family day care home operator or as an administrator of a licensed day care center. The director may waive this requirement upon a finding that the applicant has sufficient qualifying experience.
(b) No home shall be licensed or registered as a large family day care home after January 1, 1984, unless the provider has at least one year's experience as a regulated small family day care home operator or as an administrator of a licensed day care center. The director may waive this requirement upon a finding that the applicant has sufficient qualifying experience.
No family day care home for children shall be licensed
under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 1500), but shall be subject
to licensure exclusively in accordance with this chapter and Chapter
3.4 (commencing with Section 1596.70) which shall apply to family day
care homes.
(a) All family day care homes for children shall maintain
in force either liability insurance covering injury to clients and
guests in the amount of at least one hundred thousand dollars
($100,000) per occurrence and three hundred thousand dollars
($300,000) in the total annual aggregate, sustained on account of the
negligence of the licensee or its employees, or a bond in the
aggregate amount of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000). In
lieu of the liability insurance or the bond, the family day care home
may maintain a file of affidavits signed by each parent with a child
enrolled in the home which meets the requirements of this
subdivision. The affidavit shall state that the parent has been
informed that the family day care home does not carry liability
insurance or a bond according to standards established by the state.
If the provider does not own the premises used as the family day care
home, the affidavit shall also state that the parent has been
informed that the liability insurance, if any, of the owner of the
property or the homeowners' association, as appropriate, may not
provide coverage for losses arising out of, or in connection with,
the operation of the family day care home, except to the extent that
the losses are caused by, or result from, an action or omission by
the owner of the property or the homeowners' association, for which
the owner of the property or the homeowners' association would
otherwise be liable under the law. These affidavits shall be on a
form provided by the department and shall be reviewed at each
licensing inspection.
(b) A family day care home that maintains liability insurance or a bond pursuant to this section, and that provides care in premises that are rented or leased or uses premises which share common space governed by a homeowners' association, shall name the owner of the property or the homeowners' association, as appropriate, as an additional insured party on the liability insurance policy or bond if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The owner of the property or governing body of the homeowners' association makes a written request to be added as an additional insured party.
(2) The addition of the owner of the property or the homeowners' association does not result in cancellation or nonrenewal of the insurance policy or bond carried by the family day care home.
(3) Any additional premium assessed for this coverage is paid by the owner of the property or the homeowners' association.
(c) As used in this section, "homeowners' association" means an association of a common interest development, as defined in Sections 4080 and 4100 of the Civil Code.
(b) A family day care home that maintains liability insurance or a bond pursuant to this section, and that provides care in premises that are rented or leased or uses premises which share common space governed by a homeowners' association, shall name the owner of the property or the homeowners' association, as appropriate, as an additional insured party on the liability insurance policy or bond if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The owner of the property or governing body of the homeowners' association makes a written request to be added as an additional insured party.
(2) The addition of the owner of the property or the homeowners' association does not result in cancellation or nonrenewal of the insurance policy or bond carried by the family day care home.
(3) Any additional premium assessed for this coverage is paid by the owner of the property or the homeowners' association.
(c) As used in this section, "homeowners' association" means an association of a common interest development, as defined in Sections 4080 and 4100 of the Civil Code.
All family day care homes for children, shall apply for a
license under this chapter, except that any home which on June 28,
1981, had a valid and unexpired license to operate as a family day
care home for children under other provisions of law shall be deemed
to have a license under this chapter for the unexpired term of the
license at which time a new license may be issued upon fulfilling the
requirements of this chapter.
An applicant for licensure as a family day care home for children
shall file with the department, pursuant to its regulations, an
application on forms furnished by the department, which shall
include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(a) A brief statement confirming that the applicant is financially secure to operate a family day care home for children. The department shall not require any other specific or detailed financial disclosure.
(b) (1) Evidence that the small family day care home contains a fire extinguisher or smoke detector device, or both, which meets standards established by the State Fire Marshal under subdivision (d) of Section 1597.45, or evidence that the large family day care home meets the standards established by the State Fire Marshal under subdivision (d) of Section 1597.46.
(2) Evidence satisfactory to the department that there is a fire escape and disaster plan for the facility and that fire drills and disaster drills will be conducted at least once every six months. The documentation of these drills shall be maintained at the facility on a form prepared by the department and shall include the date and time of the drills.
(c) The fingerprints of any applicant of a family day care home license, and any other adult, as required under subdivision (b) of Section 1596.871.
(d) Evidence of a current tuberculosis clearance, as defined in regulations that the department shall adopt, for any adult in the home during the time that children are under care. This requirement may be satisfied by a current certificate, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 121525, that indicates freedom from infectious tuberculosis as set forth in Section 121525.
(e) Commencing September 1, 2016, evidence of current immunity or exemption from immunity, as described in Section 1597.622, for the applicant and any other person who provides care and supervision to the children.
(f) Evidence satisfactory to the department of the ability of the applicant to comply with this chapter and Chapter 3.4 (commencing with Section 1596.70) and the regulations adopted pursuant to those chapters.
(g) Evidence satisfactory to the department that the applicant and all other persons residing in the home are of reputable and responsible character. The evidence shall include, but not be limited to, a criminal record clearance pursuant to Section 1596.871, employment history, and character references.
(h) Failure of the applicant to cooperate with the licensing agency in the completion of the application shall result in the denial of the application. Failure to cooperate means that the information described in this section and in regulations of the department has not been provided, or not provided in the form requested by the licensing agency, or both.
(i) Other information as may be required by the department for the proper administration and enforcement of the act.
(a) A brief statement confirming that the applicant is financially secure to operate a family day care home for children. The department shall not require any other specific or detailed financial disclosure.
(b) (1) Evidence that the small family day care home contains a fire extinguisher or smoke detector device, or both, which meets standards established by the State Fire Marshal under subdivision (d) of Section 1597.45, or evidence that the large family day care home meets the standards established by the State Fire Marshal under subdivision (d) of Section 1597.46.
(2) Evidence satisfactory to the department that there is a fire escape and disaster plan for the facility and that fire drills and disaster drills will be conducted at least once every six months. The documentation of these drills shall be maintained at the facility on a form prepared by the department and shall include the date and time of the drills.
(c) The fingerprints of any applicant of a family day care home license, and any other adult, as required under subdivision (b) of Section 1596.871.
(d) Evidence of a current tuberculosis clearance, as defined in regulations that the department shall adopt, for any adult in the home during the time that children are under care. This requirement may be satisfied by a current certificate, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 121525, that indicates freedom from infectious tuberculosis as set forth in Section 121525.
(e) Commencing September 1, 2016, evidence of current immunity or exemption from immunity, as described in Section 1597.622, for the applicant and any other person who provides care and supervision to the children.
(f) Evidence satisfactory to the department of the ability of the applicant to comply with this chapter and Chapter 3.4 (commencing with Section 1596.70) and the regulations adopted pursuant to those chapters.
(g) Evidence satisfactory to the department that the applicant and all other persons residing in the home are of reputable and responsible character. The evidence shall include, but not be limited to, a criminal record clearance pursuant to Section 1596.871, employment history, and character references.
(h) Failure of the applicant to cooperate with the licensing agency in the completion of the application shall result in the denial of the application. Failure to cooperate means that the information described in this section and in regulations of the department has not been provided, or not provided in the form requested by the licensing agency, or both.
(i) Other information as may be required by the department for the proper administration and enforcement of the act.
(a) The department shall adopt regulations regarding
age-appropriate immunization requirements for enrolled children for
family day care homes.
(b) All family day care homes for children shall maintain evidence that enrolled children have met the age-appropriate immunization requirements adopted pursuant to this section.
(b) All family day care homes for children shall maintain evidence that enrolled children have met the age-appropriate immunization requirements adopted pursuant to this section.
(a) The Division of Child Care Licensing in the
department shall clearly differentiate degrees of violations of the
regulations adopted for purposes of this chapter by the impact upon
children in care.
(b) The department shall implement this section only to the extent funds are available in accordance with Section 18285.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(b) The department shall implement this section only to the extent funds are available in accordance with Section 18285.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
Every family day care home for children shall have one or
more carbon monoxide detectors in the facility that meet the
standards established in Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 13260) of
Part 2 of Division 12. The department shall account for the presence
of these detectors during inspections.
1597.55a. Every family day care home shall be subject to
unannounced inspections by the department as provided in this
section. The department shall inspect these facilities as often as
necessary to ensure the quality of care provided.
(a) The department shall conduct an announced site visit prior to the initial licensing of the applicant.
(b) The department shall conduct an annual unannounced inspection of a facility under any of the following circumstances:
(1) When a license is on probation.
(2) When the terms of agreement in a facility compliance plan require an annual inspection.
(3) When an accusation against a licensee is pending.
(4) In order to verify that a person who has been ordered out of a family day care home by the department is no longer at the facility.
(c) (1) The department shall conduct annual unannounced inspections of no less than 20 percent of facilities not subject to an inspection under subdivision (b). These unannounced inspections shall be conducted based on a random sampling methodology developed by the department.
(2) If the total citations issued by the department exceed the previous year's total by 10 percent, the following year the department shall increase the random sample by 10 percent of the facilities not subject to an inspection under subdivision (b). The department may request additional resources to increase the random sample by 10 percent.
(d) Under no circumstance shall the department inspect a licensed family day care home less often than once every five years.
(e) A public agency under contract with the department may make spot checks if it does not result in any cost to the state. However, spot checks shall not be required by the department.
(f) The department or licensing agency shall make an unannounced site inspection on the basis of a complaint and a followup inspection as provided in Section 1596.853.
(g) An unannounced site inspection shall adhere to both of the following conditions:
(1) The inspection shall take place only during the facility's normal business hours or at any time family day care services are being provided.
(2) The inspection of the facility shall be limited to those parts of the facility in which family day care services are provided or to which the children have access.
(h) The department shall implement this section during periods that Section 1597.55b is not being implemented in accordance with Section 18285.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(i) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2017, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2017, deletes or extends that date.
(a) The department shall conduct an announced site visit prior to the initial licensing of the applicant.
(b) The department shall conduct an annual unannounced inspection of a facility under any of the following circumstances:
(1) When a license is on probation.
(2) When the terms of agreement in a facility compliance plan require an annual inspection.
(3) When an accusation against a licensee is pending.
(4) In order to verify that a person who has been ordered out of a family day care home by the department is no longer at the facility.
(c) (1) The department shall conduct annual unannounced inspections of no less than 20 percent of facilities not subject to an inspection under subdivision (b). These unannounced inspections shall be conducted based on a random sampling methodology developed by the department.
(2) If the total citations issued by the department exceed the previous year's total by 10 percent, the following year the department shall increase the random sample by 10 percent of the facilities not subject to an inspection under subdivision (b). The department may request additional resources to increase the random sample by 10 percent.
(d) Under no circumstance shall the department inspect a licensed family day care home less often than once every five years.
(e) A public agency under contract with the department may make spot checks if it does not result in any cost to the state. However, spot checks shall not be required by the department.
(f) The department or licensing agency shall make an unannounced site inspection on the basis of a complaint and a followup inspection as provided in Section 1596.853.
(g) An unannounced site inspection shall adhere to both of the following conditions:
(1) The inspection shall take place only during the facility's normal business hours or at any time family day care services are being provided.
(2) The inspection of the facility shall be limited to those parts of the facility in which family day care services are provided or to which the children have access.
(h) The department shall implement this section during periods that Section 1597.55b is not being implemented in accordance with Section 18285.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(i) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2017, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2017, deletes or extends that date.
1597.55a. Every family day care home shall be subject to
unannounced inspections by the department as provided in this
section. The department shall inspect these facilities as often as
necessary to ensure the quality of care provided.
(a) The department shall conduct an announced site inspection prior to the initial licensing of the applicant.
(b) The department shall conduct an annual unannounced inspection of a facility under any of the following circumstances:
(1) When a license is on probation.
(2) When the terms of agreement in a facility compliance plan require an annual inspection.
(3) When an accusation against a licensee is pending.
(4) In order to verify that a person who has been ordered out of a family day care home by the department is no longer at the facility.
(c) (1) The department shall conduct annual unannounced inspections of no less than 30 percent of facilities not subject to an inspection under subdivision (b).
(2) These unannounced inspections shall be conducted based on a random sampling methodology developed by the department.
(d) The department shall inspect a licensed family day care home at least once every three years.
(e) A public agency under contract with the department may make spot checks if it does not result in any cost to the state. However, spot checks shall not be required by the department.
(f) The department or licensing agency shall make an unannounced site inspection on the basis of a complaint and a followup inspection as provided in Section 1596.853.
(g) An unannounced site inspection shall adhere to both of the following conditions:
(1) The inspection shall take place only during the facility's normal business hours or at any time family day care services are being provided.
(2) The inspection of the facility shall be limited to those parts of the facility in which family day care services are provided or to which the children have access.
(h) The department shall implement this section during periods that Section 1597.55b is not being implemented in accordance with Section 18285.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(i) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2017.
(a) The department shall conduct an announced site inspection prior to the initial licensing of the applicant.
(b) The department shall conduct an annual unannounced inspection of a facility under any of the following circumstances:
(1) When a license is on probation.
(2) When the terms of agreement in a facility compliance plan require an annual inspection.
(3) When an accusation against a licensee is pending.
(4) In order to verify that a person who has been ordered out of a family day care home by the department is no longer at the facility.
(c) (1) The department shall conduct annual unannounced inspections of no less than 30 percent of facilities not subject to an inspection under subdivision (b).
(2) These unannounced inspections shall be conducted based on a random sampling methodology developed by the department.
(d) The department shall inspect a licensed family day care home at least once every three years.
(e) A public agency under contract with the department may make spot checks if it does not result in any cost to the state. However, spot checks shall not be required by the department.
(f) The department or licensing agency shall make an unannounced site inspection on the basis of a complaint and a followup inspection as provided in Section 1596.853.
(g) An unannounced site inspection shall adhere to both of the following conditions:
(1) The inspection shall take place only during the facility's normal business hours or at any time family day care services are being provided.
(2) The inspection of the facility shall be limited to those parts of the facility in which family day care services are provided or to which the children have access.
(h) The department shall implement this section during periods that Section 1597.55b is not being implemented in accordance with Section 18285.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(i) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2017.
1597.55b. No site visits, unannounced visits, or spot checks, shall
be made under this chapter except as provided in this section.
(a) An announced site visit shall be required prior to the licensing of the applicant.
(b) A public agency under contract with the department may make spot checks if they do not result in any cost to the state. However, spot checks shall not be required by the department.
(c) An unannounced site visit to all licensed family day care homes shall be made annually and as often as necessary to ensure compliance.
(d) The department or licensing agency shall make an unannounced site visit on the basis of a complaint and a followup visit as provided in Section 1596.853. At no time shall other site visit requirements described by this section prevent a timely site visit response to a complaint.
(e) The department shall annually make unannounced spot visits on 20 percent of all family day care homes for children licensed under this chapter. The unannounced visits may be made at any time, and shall be in addition to the visits required by subdivisions (b) and (c).
(f) An unannounced site visit shall comply with both of the following conditions:
(1) The visit shall take place only during the facility's normal business hours or at any time family day care services are being provided.
(2) The inspection of the facility shall be limited to those parts of the facility in which family day care services are provided or to which the children have access.
(g) The department shall implement this section only to the extent funds are available in accordance with Section 18285.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(a) An announced site visit shall be required prior to the licensing of the applicant.
(b) A public agency under contract with the department may make spot checks if they do not result in any cost to the state. However, spot checks shall not be required by the department.
(c) An unannounced site visit to all licensed family day care homes shall be made annually and as often as necessary to ensure compliance.
(d) The department or licensing agency shall make an unannounced site visit on the basis of a complaint and a followup visit as provided in Section 1596.853. At no time shall other site visit requirements described by this section prevent a timely site visit response to a complaint.
(e) The department shall annually make unannounced spot visits on 20 percent of all family day care homes for children licensed under this chapter. The unannounced visits may be made at any time, and shall be in addition to the visits required by subdivisions (b) and (c).
(f) An unannounced site visit shall comply with both of the following conditions:
(1) The visit shall take place only during the facility's normal business hours or at any time family day care services are being provided.
(2) The inspection of the facility shall be limited to those parts of the facility in which family day care services are provided or to which the children have access.
(g) The department shall implement this section only to the extent funds are available in accordance with Section 18285.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(a) The department shall notify a family day care home in
writing of all deficiencies in its compliance with this act and the
rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this act, and shall set a
reasonable length of time for compliance by the family day care home.
Upon a finding of noncompliance with a plan of correction, the
department may levy a civil penalty that shall be paid to the
department each day until the department finds the family day care
home in compliance.
(b) In developing a plan of correction, both the licensee and the department shall give due consideration to the following factors:
(1) The gravity of the violation.
(2) The history of previous violations.
(3) The possibility of a threat to the health or safety of any child in the facility.
(4) The number of children affected by the violation.
(5) The availability of equipment or personnel necessary to correct the violation, if appropriate.
(c) The department shall ensure that the licensee's plan of correction is verifiable and measurable. The plan of correction shall specify what evidence is acceptable to establish that a deficiency has been corrected. This evidence shall be included in the department' s facility file.
(d) The department shall adopt regulations establishing procedures for the imposition of civil penalties under this section.
(b) In developing a plan of correction, both the licensee and the department shall give due consideration to the following factors:
(1) The gravity of the violation.
(2) The history of previous violations.
(3) The possibility of a threat to the health or safety of any child in the facility.
(4) The number of children affected by the violation.
(5) The availability of equipment or personnel necessary to correct the violation, if appropriate.
(c) The department shall ensure that the licensee's plan of correction is verifiable and measurable. The plan of correction shall specify what evidence is acceptable to establish that a deficiency has been corrected. This evidence shall be included in the department' s facility file.
(d) The department shall adopt regulations establishing procedures for the imposition of civil penalties under this section.
The department shall do all of the following:
(a) Develop and utilize one application form for all family day care homes for children requesting a new license.
(b) Establish for parents a consumer education program annually on the law and regulations governing family day care homes for children under this chapter and the role of the state and other public entities and local associations in relation to family day care homes for children. In planning this program, the department shall seek the assistance of other public entities and local associations.
(c) Administer an orientation program for new operators of family day care homes for children that may be conducted directly by the department or by contract with local governments or family day care home associations.
(a) Develop and utilize one application form for all family day care homes for children requesting a new license.
(b) Establish for parents a consumer education program annually on the law and regulations governing family day care homes for children under this chapter and the role of the state and other public entities and local associations in relation to family day care homes for children. In planning this program, the department shall seek the assistance of other public entities and local associations.
(c) Administer an orientation program for new operators of family day care homes for children that may be conducted directly by the department or by contract with local governments or family day care home associations.
(a) In addition to the suspension, temporary suspension,
or revocation of a license issued under this chapter, the department
may levy a civil penalty.
(b) The amount of the civil penalty shall not be less than twenty-five dollars ($25) nor more than fifty dollars ($50) per day for each violation of this chapter except where the nature or seriousness of the violation or the frequency of the violation warrants a higher penalty or an immediate civil penalty assessment or both, as determined by the department. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a civil penalty assessment shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150) per day per violation.
(c) Notwithstanding Sections 1596.893a, 1596.893b, 1597.56, and 1597.62, the department shall assess an immediate civil penalty of one hundred fifty dollars ($150) per day per violation for any of the following serious violations:
(1) Any violation that results in the injury, illness, or death of a child.
(2) Absence of supervision, including, but not limited to, a child left unattended, a child left alone with a person under 18 years of age, and lack of supervision resulting in a child wandering away.
(3) Accessible bodies of water.
(4) Accessible firearms, ammunition, or both.
(5) Refused entry to a facility or any part of a facility in violation of Sections 1596.852, 1596.853, 1597.55a, and 1597.55b.
(6) The presence of an excluded person on the premises.
(d) For a violation that the department determines resulted in the death of a child, the civil penalty shall be assessed as follows:
(1) Five thousand dollars ($5,000) for a small family day care home, as described in Section 1597.44.
(2) Seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) for a large family day care home, as described in Section 1597.465.
(e) (1) For a violation that the department determines constitutes physical abuse or resulted in serious injury, as defined in Section 1596.8865, to a child, the civil penalty shall be assessed as follows:
(A) One thousand dollars ($1,000) for a small family day care home, as described in Section 1597.44.
(B) Two thousand dollars ($2,000) for a large family day care home, as described in Section 1597.465.
(2) For purposes of this subdivision, "physical abuse" includes physical injury inflicted upon a child by another person by other than accidental means, sexual abuse as defined in Section 11165.1 of the Penal Code, neglect as defined in Section 11165.2 of the Penal Code, or unlawful corporal punishment or injury as defined in Section 11165.4 of the Penal Code when the person responsible for the child' s welfare is a licensee, administrator, or employee of any facility licensed to care for children, or an administrator or employee of a public or private school or other institution or agency.
(f) Before the issuance of a citation imposing a civil penalty pursuant to subdivision (d) or (e), the decision shall be approved by the program administrator of the Community Care Licensing Division.
(g) Notwithstanding Sections 1596.893a, 1596.893b, 1597.56, and 1597.62, any family day care home that is cited for repeating the same violation of this chapter or Chapter 3.4 (commencing with Section 1596.70), within 12 months of the first violation, is subject to an immediate civil penalty assessment of up to one hundred fifty dollars ($150) and may be assessed up to fifty dollars ($50) for each day the violation continues until the deficiency is corrected.
(h) Any family day care home that is assessed a civil penalty under subdivision (g) that repeats the same violation of this chapter within 12 months of the violation subject to subdivision (g) shall be assessed an immediate assessment of up to one hundred fifty dollars ($150) and may be assessed up to one hundred fifty dollars ($150) for each day the violation continues until the deficiency is corrected.
(i) Notwithstanding any other law, revenues received by the state from the payment of civil penalties imposed on licensed family day care homes pursuant to this chapter or Chapter 3.4 (commencing with Section 1596.70), shall be deposited in the Child Health and Safety Fund, created pursuant to Chapter 4.6 (commencing with Section 18285) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and shall be expended, upon appropriation by the Legislature, pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 18285 of the Welfare and Institutions Code exclusively for the technical assistance, orientation, training, and education of licensed family day care home providers.
(j) (1) The department shall adopt regulations setting forth the appeal procedures for deficiencies.
(2) A notification of a deficiency written by a representative of the department shall include a factual description of the nature of the deficiency fully stating the manner in which the licensee failed to comply with the specified statute or regulation, and, if applicable, the particular place or area of the facility in which the deficiency occurred.
(k) (1) A licensee shall have the right to submit to the department a written request for a formal review of a civil penalty assessed pursuant to subdivisions (d) and (e) within 15 business days of receipt of the notice of a civil penalty assessment and shall provide all available supporting documentation at that time. The review shall be conducted by the deputy director of the Community Care Licensing Division. The licensee may submit additional supporting documentation that was unavailable at the time of submitting the request for review within the first 30 business days after submitting the request for review. If the department requires additional information from the licensee, that information shall be requested within the first 30 business days after receiving the request for review. The licensee shall provide this additional information within 30 business days of receiving the request from the department. If the deputy director determines that the civil penalty was not assessed, or the finding of the deficiency that resulted in the assessment of the civil penalty was not made, in accordance with applicable statutes or regulations of the department, he or she may amend or dismiss the civil penalty or finding of deficiency. The licensee shall be notified in writing of the deputy director's decision within 60 business days of the date when all necessary information has been provided to the department by the licensee.
(2) Upon exhausting the review described in paragraph (1), a licensee may further appeal that decision to an administrative law judge. Proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and the department shall have all the powers granted by those provisions. In all proceedings conducted in accordance with this section, the standard of proof shall be by a preponderance of the evidence.
(3) If, in addition to an assessment of civil penalties, the department elects to file an administrative action to suspend or revoke the facility license that includes violations relating to the assessment of the civil penalties, the department review of the pending appeal shall cease and the assessment of the civil penalties shall be heard as part of the administrative action process.
(l) (1) A licensee shall have the right to submit to the department a written request for a formal review of any other civil penalty or deficiency not described in subdivision (k) within 15 business days of receipt of the notice of a civil penalty assessment or a finding of a deficiency, and shall provide all available supporting documentation at that time. The review shall be conducted by a regional manager of the Community Care Licensing Division. The licensee may submit additional supporting documentation that was unavailable at the time of submitting the request for review within the first 30 business days after submitting the request for review. If the department requires additional information from the licensee, that information shall be requested within the first 30 business days after receiving the request for review. The licensee shall provide this additional information within 30 business days of receiving the request from the department. If the regional manager determines that the civil penalty was not assessed, or the finding of the deficiency was not made, in accordance with applicable statutes or regulations of the department, he or she may amend or dismiss the civil penalty or finding of deficiency. The licensee shall be notified in writing of the regional manager's decision within 60 business days of the date when all necessary information has been provided to the department by the licensee.
(2) Upon exhausting the review described in paragraph (1), the licensee may further appeal that decision to the program administrator of the Community Care Licensing Division within 15 business days of receipt of notice of the regional manager's decision. The licensee may submit additional supporting documentation that was unavailable at the time of appeal to the program administrator within the first 30 business days after requesting that appeal. If the department requires additional information from the licensee, that information shall be requested within the first 30 business days after receiving the request for the appeal. The licensee shall provide this additional information within 30 business days of receiving the request from the department. If the program administrator determines that the civil penalty was not assessed, or the finding of the deficiency was not made, in accordance with applicable statutes or regulations of the department, he or she may amend or dismiss the civil penalty or finding of deficiency. The licensee shall be notified in writing of the program administrator's decision within 60 business days of the date when all necessary information has been provided to the department by the licensee. The program administrator's decision is considered final and concludes the licensee's administrative appeal rights regarding the appeal conducted pursuant to this paragraph.
(m) The department shall, by January 1, 2016, amend its regulations to reflect the changes to this section made by Section 10 of Chapter 813 of the Statutes of 2014.
(n) Notwithstanding the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement and administer the changes made by the act that added this subdivision through all-county letters or similar written instructions until regulations are adopted pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act.
(o) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2015.
(b) The amount of the civil penalty shall not be less than twenty-five dollars ($25) nor more than fifty dollars ($50) per day for each violation of this chapter except where the nature or seriousness of the violation or the frequency of the violation warrants a higher penalty or an immediate civil penalty assessment or both, as determined by the department. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a civil penalty assessment shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150) per day per violation.
(c) Notwithstanding Sections 1596.893a, 1596.893b, 1597.56, and 1597.62, the department shall assess an immediate civil penalty of one hundred fifty dollars ($150) per day per violation for any of the following serious violations:
(1) Any violation that results in the injury, illness, or death of a child.
(2) Absence of supervision, including, but not limited to, a child left unattended, a child left alone with a person under 18 years of age, and lack of supervision resulting in a child wandering away.
(3) Accessible bodies of water.
(4) Accessible firearms, ammunition, or both.
(5) Refused entry to a facility or any part of a facility in violation of Sections 1596.852, 1596.853, 1597.55a, and 1597.55b.
(6) The presence of an excluded person on the premises.
(d) For a violation that the department determines resulted in the death of a child, the civil penalty shall be assessed as follows:
(1) Five thousand dollars ($5,000) for a small family day care home, as described in Section 1597.44.
(2) Seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) for a large family day care home, as described in Section 1597.465.
(e) (1) For a violation that the department determines constitutes physical abuse or resulted in serious injury, as defined in Section 1596.8865, to a child, the civil penalty shall be assessed as follows:
(A) One thousand dollars ($1,000) for a small family day care home, as described in Section 1597.44.
(B) Two thousand dollars ($2,000) for a large family day care home, as described in Section 1597.465.
(2) For purposes of this subdivision, "physical abuse" includes physical injury inflicted upon a child by another person by other than accidental means, sexual abuse as defined in Section 11165.1 of the Penal Code, neglect as defined in Section 11165.2 of the Penal Code, or unlawful corporal punishment or injury as defined in Section 11165.4 of the Penal Code when the person responsible for the child' s welfare is a licensee, administrator, or employee of any facility licensed to care for children, or an administrator or employee of a public or private school or other institution or agency.
(f) Before the issuance of a citation imposing a civil penalty pursuant to subdivision (d) or (e), the decision shall be approved by the program administrator of the Community Care Licensing Division.
(g) Notwithstanding Sections 1596.893a, 1596.893b, 1597.56, and 1597.62, any family day care home that is cited for repeating the same violation of this chapter or Chapter 3.4 (commencing with Section 1596.70), within 12 months of the first violation, is subject to an immediate civil penalty assessment of up to one hundred fifty dollars ($150) and may be assessed up to fifty dollars ($50) for each day the violation continues until the deficiency is corrected.
(h) Any family day care home that is assessed a civil penalty under subdivision (g) that repeats the same violation of this chapter within 12 months of the violation subject to subdivision (g) shall be assessed an immediate assessment of up to one hundred fifty dollars ($150) and may be assessed up to one hundred fifty dollars ($150) for each day the violation continues until the deficiency is corrected.
(i) Notwithstanding any other law, revenues received by the state from the payment of civil penalties imposed on licensed family day care homes pursuant to this chapter or Chapter 3.4 (commencing with Section 1596.70), shall be deposited in the Child Health and Safety Fund, created pursuant to Chapter 4.6 (commencing with Section 18285) of Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and shall be expended, upon appropriation by the Legislature, pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 18285 of the Welfare and Institutions Code exclusively for the technical assistance, orientation, training, and education of licensed family day care home providers.
(j) (1) The department shall adopt regulations setting forth the appeal procedures for deficiencies.
(2) A notification of a deficiency written by a representative of the department shall include a factual description of the nature of the deficiency fully stating the manner in which the licensee failed to comply with the specified statute or regulation, and, if applicable, the particular place or area of the facility in which the deficiency occurred.
(k) (1) A licensee shall have the right to submit to the department a written request for a formal review of a civil penalty assessed pursuant to subdivisions (d) and (e) within 15 business days of receipt of the notice of a civil penalty assessment and shall provide all available supporting documentation at that time. The review shall be conducted by the deputy director of the Community Care Licensing Division. The licensee may submit additional supporting documentation that was unavailable at the time of submitting the request for review within the first 30 business days after submitting the request for review. If the department requires additional information from the licensee, that information shall be requested within the first 30 business days after receiving the request for review. The licensee shall provide this additional information within 30 business days of receiving the request from the department. If the deputy director determines that the civil penalty was not assessed, or the finding of the deficiency that resulted in the assessment of the civil penalty was not made, in accordance with applicable statutes or regulations of the department, he or she may amend or dismiss the civil penalty or finding of deficiency. The licensee shall be notified in writing of the deputy director's decision within 60 business days of the date when all necessary information has been provided to the department by the licensee.
(2) Upon exhausting the review described in paragraph (1), a licensee may further appeal that decision to an administrative law judge. Proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and the department shall have all the powers granted by those provisions. In all proceedings conducted in accordance with this section, the standard of proof shall be by a preponderance of the evidence.
(3) If, in addition to an assessment of civil penalties, the department elects to file an administrative action to suspend or revoke the facility license that includes violations relating to the assessment of the civil penalties, the department review of the pending appeal shall cease and the assessment of the civil penalties shall be heard as part of the administrative action process.
(l) (1) A licensee shall have the right to submit to the department a written request for a formal review of any other civil penalty or deficiency not described in subdivision (k) within 15 business days of receipt of the notice of a civil penalty assessment or a finding of a deficiency, and shall provide all available supporting documentation at that time. The review shall be conducted by a regional manager of the Community Care Licensing Division. The licensee may submit additional supporting documentation that was unavailable at the time of submitting the request for review within the first 30 business days after submitting the request for review. If the department requires additional information from the licensee, that information shall be requested within the first 30 business days after receiving the request for review. The licensee shall provide this additional information within 30 business days of receiving the request from the department. If the regional manager determines that the civil penalty was not assessed, or the finding of the deficiency was not made, in accordance with applicable statutes or regulations of the department, he or she may amend or dismiss the civil penalty or finding of deficiency. The licensee shall be notified in writing of the regional manager's decision within 60 business days of the date when all necessary information has been provided to the department by the licensee.
(2) Upon exhausting the review described in paragraph (1), the licensee may further appeal that decision to the program administrator of the Community Care Licensing Division within 15 business days of receipt of notice of the regional manager's decision. The licensee may submit additional supporting documentation that was unavailable at the time of appeal to the program administrator within the first 30 business days after requesting that appeal. If the department requires additional information from the licensee, that information shall be requested within the first 30 business days after receiving the request for the appeal. The licensee shall provide this additional information within 30 business days of receiving the request from the department. If the program administrator determines that the civil penalty was not assessed, or the finding of the deficiency was not made, in accordance with applicable statutes or regulations of the department, he or she may amend or dismiss the civil penalty or finding of deficiency. The licensee shall be notified in writing of the program administrator's decision within 60 business days of the date when all necessary information has been provided to the department by the licensee. The program administrator's decision is considered final and concludes the licensee's administrative appeal rights regarding the appeal conducted pursuant to this paragraph.
(m) The department shall, by January 1, 2016, amend its regulations to reflect the changes to this section made by Section 10 of Chapter 813 of the Statutes of 2014.
(n) Notwithstanding the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department may implement and administer the changes made by the act that added this subdivision through all-county letters or similar written instructions until regulations are adopted pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act.
(o) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2015.
The department and the local agencies with which it
contracts for the licensing of family day care homes for children
shall grant or deny a license to a family day care home for children
within 30 days after receipt of all appropriate licensing application
materials as determined by the department, provided both of the
following conditions are met:
(a) A site visit has been completed and the family day care home has been found to be in compliance with licensing standards.
(b) The applicant and each person described by subdivision (b) of Section 1596.871 has obtained a criminal record clearance, or been granted a criminal record exemption by the department or the local contracting agency. The department shall conduct an initial site visit within 30 days after the receipt of all appropriate licensing application materials.
(a) A site visit has been completed and the family day care home has been found to be in compliance with licensing standards.
(b) The applicant and each person described by subdivision (b) of Section 1596.871 has obtained a criminal record clearance, or been granted a criminal record exemption by the department or the local contracting agency. The department shall conduct an initial site visit within 30 days after the receipt of all appropriate licensing application materials.
(a) When the department determines that a family day care
home for children is operating without a license and notifies the
unlicensed provider of the requirement for the license, the licensing
agency may issue a cease and desist order only if it finds and
documents that continued operation of the facility will be dangerous
to the health and safety of the children or if a license held by the
facility has been revoked by the department within two years
preceding the determination of unlicensed operation. In all other
cases where the licensing agency determines such a facility is
operating without a license and notifies the unlicensed provider of
the requirements for the license, the licensing agency may issue a
cease and desist order only if the unlicensed provider does not apply
for a license within a reasonable time after the notice.
(b) If an unlicensed family day care home fails to respond to a cease and desist order issued pursuant to subdivision (a), or if the department determines it necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of the children, the licensing agency may bring an action to enjoin such a home from continuing to operate pursuant to Section 1596.89.
(c) The district attorney of a county shall, upon application by the department, institute and conduct the prosecution of any action brought by the licensing agency against an unlicensed family day care home located in that county.
(b) If an unlicensed family day care home fails to respond to a cease and desist order issued pursuant to subdivision (a), or if the department determines it necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of the children, the licensing agency may bring an action to enjoin such a home from continuing to operate pursuant to Section 1596.89.
(c) The district attorney of a county shall, upon application by the department, institute and conduct the prosecution of any action brought by the licensing agency against an unlicensed family day care home located in that county.
(a) The department may impose civil penalties of not less
than twenty-five dollars ($25) and not more than fifty dollars ($50)
per day per violation for uncorrected violations that present an
immediate or potential risk to the health and safety of children in
care. The penalties shall be imposed in accordance with Sections
1596.893b and 1597.56.
(b) The department shall implement this section only to the extent funds are available in accordance with Section 18285.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(b) The department shall implement this section only to the extent funds are available in accordance with Section 18285.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
Family day care homes that, on December 31, 1983, have a
valid unexpired registration to operate as a family day care home for
children pursuant to Section 1597.62 in one of the pilot counties
shall be deemed to be issued a family day care license effective
January 1, 1984. Licensure pursuant to this section shall not require
a visit pursuant to the requirement set forth in subdivision (a) of
Section 1597.55. However, all other requirements of licensing shall
continue to be met. Complaint and revocation procedures may be
enforced.
(a) (1) Commencing September 1, 2016, a person shall not
be employed or volunteer at a family day care home if he or she has
not been immunized against influenza, pertussis, and measles. Each
employee and volunteer shall receive an influenza vaccination between
August 1 and December 1 of each year.
(2) If a person meets all other requirements for employment or volunteering, as applicable, but needs additional time to obtain and provide his or her immunization records, the person may be employed or volunteer conditionally for a maximum of 30 days upon signing and submitting a written statement attesting that he or she has been immunized as required.
(b) A person is exempt from the requirements of this section only under any of the following circumstances:
(1) The person submits a written statement from a licensed physician declaring that because of the person's physical condition or medical circumstances, immunization is not safe.
(2) The person submits a written statement by a licensed physician providing that the person has evidence of current immunity to the diseases described in subdivision (a).
(3) The person submits a written declaration that he or she has declined the influenza vaccination. This exemption applies only to the influenza vaccine.
(4) The person was hired after December 1 of the previous year and before August 1 of the current year. This exemption applies only to the influenza vaccine during the first year of employment or volunteering.
(c) The family day care home shall maintain documentation of the required immunizations or exemptions from immunization, as set forth in this section, in the person's personnel record that is maintained by the family day care home.
(d) For purposes of this section, "volunteer" means any nonemployee who provides care and supervision to children in care.
(2) If a person meets all other requirements for employment or volunteering, as applicable, but needs additional time to obtain and provide his or her immunization records, the person may be employed or volunteer conditionally for a maximum of 30 days upon signing and submitting a written statement attesting that he or she has been immunized as required.
(b) A person is exempt from the requirements of this section only under any of the following circumstances:
(1) The person submits a written statement from a licensed physician declaring that because of the person's physical condition or medical circumstances, immunization is not safe.
(2) The person submits a written statement by a licensed physician providing that the person has evidence of current immunity to the diseases described in subdivision (a).
(3) The person submits a written declaration that he or she has declined the influenza vaccination. This exemption applies only to the influenza vaccine.
(4) The person was hired after December 1 of the previous year and before August 1 of the current year. This exemption applies only to the influenza vaccine during the first year of employment or volunteering.
(c) The family day care home shall maintain documentation of the required immunizations or exemptions from immunization, as set forth in this section, in the person's personnel record that is maintained by the family day care home.
(d) For purposes of this section, "volunteer" means any nonemployee who provides care and supervision to children in care.
