Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 591 - RULES OF BRIGHT FROM THE START GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CARE AND LEARNING
Chapter 591-3
Subject 591-3-1 - RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR SUPPORT CENTERS
Rule 591-3-1-.04 - Support Center Requirements and Registration Applications

(a) No person or business entity authorized under Georgia law shall operate a Support Center unless a Registration has been obtained from the Department.

(b) A Registration to operate a Support Center is not transferable in any way. A change of business ownership or address requires a new Registration to be issued by the Department. Each Registration shall become invalid immediately upon the final sale or closure of the Support Center, or upon the suspension, revocation, or restriction of the Registration.

(c) The Registration shall be automatically renewed each year unless the Registration is voluntarily surrendered by the holder or suspended or revoked by the Department.

(d) A Support Center shall not knowingly make any false statement in connection with a Records Check Application or change of ownership.

(e) A Support Center shall report to the Department any known arrest for a Crime or change in the Fingerprint Records Check Determination or Comprehensive Records Check Determination or Criminal Record of any Eligible Employee within twenty-four (24) hours or the next work day.

(f) A Support Center may submit Records Check Applications for Eligible Employees to the Department in accordance with guidelines set forth by the Department.

(g) A Support Center must ensure that every Eligible Employee submits both a Records Check Application to the Department and Fingerprints to an authorized fingerprinting site.

(h) A Support Center must ensure that every Eligible Employee has a valid and current satisfactory Fingerprint Records Check Determination or Comprehensive Records Check Determination on file prior to being present at the Early Care and Education Program while any child is present for care or before an individual age 17 or older resides in the Early Care and Education Program.

(i) Valid Evidence of a satisfactory Fingerprint Records Check Determination or a satisfactory Comprehensive Records Check Determination must be maintained at the Support Center for each Eligible Employee for the duration of employment or residency plus one year, and such paper or electronic evidence must be made immediately available to the Department upon request.

(j) The Support Center must ensure that every Eligible Employee requests child abuse and neglect registry information and criminal history documents from any U.S. state, territory or tribal land other than Georgia in which they have resided in the preceding five years and submit such documents to the Department in a timely manner. Failure to request out-of-state information will result in the issuance of an unsatisfactory Comprehensive Records Check Determination.

(k) Portability for Eligible Employees excluding Students-in-Training. Only the most recently issued determination letter is eligible for portability and must be ported electronically. A Center or Home may accept a satisfactory Comprehensive Records Check Determination letter issued by the Department if the individual's Records Check Clearance Date is within the preceding 12 months from the hire date, the individual has not had a lapse of employment from the child care industry that lasted for 180 days (6 months) or longer, and the Support Center, Center or Home does not know or reasonably should not know that the individual's satisfactory status has changed.

(l) Portability for Students-in-Training. Only the most recently issued determination letter is eligible for portability and must be ported electronically. A Center or Home may accept a satisfactory Comprehensive Records Check Determination letter issued by the Department for a Student-in-Training if the individual's Records Check Clearance Date is within the preceding 24 months from the hire date, the Center or Home has verified and maintains evidence on file that the Student-in-Training is currently enrolled in a high school recognized by the Department of Education or an early education curriculum through an accredited school of higher education, the individual has not had a lapse of employment from the child care industry that lasted for 180 days (6 months) or longer, and the Support Center, Center or Home does not know or reasonably should not know that the individual's satisfactory status has changed.

(m) Recheck Required. The Support Center must immediately require that every Eligible Employee submit to the Comprehensive Records Check Determination process at the following times:

(n) A Support Center applicant shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

(a) An application for a Registration to operate a Support Center shall be submitted to the Department on forms provided by the Department.

(b) A Registration may be issued upon presentation of evidence satisfactory to the Department that the Support Center applicant is in compliance with applicable statutes and these rules.

(c) A Registration applicant shall not knowingly make any false statement in connection with the application for a Registration or change of ownership.

(d) A Registration applicant shall comply with these rules and regulations and Georgia law.

(e) A Registration applicant shall provide the Department access to the Support Center and to information pertinent to the initial Registration of the Support Center.

(f) A person or business entity authorized under Georgia law may not register with the Department as a Support Center within one (1) year of a prior license, permit or Registration denial, revocation or suspension.