Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 48 - PUBLIC HEALTH-GENERAL
Part I - General Administration
Subpart 3 - Licensing and Certification
Chapter 62 - Therapeutic Group Homes
Subchapter H - Physical Environment
Section I-6287 - Interior Space

Universal Citation: LA Admin Code I-6287

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

A. The arrangement, appearance and furnishing of all interior areas of a TGH shall be similar to those of a normal family home within the community.

B. The provider shall ensure that there is evidence of routine maintenance and cleaning programs in all areas of the home.

C. A home shall have a minimum of 60 square feet of floor area per client in living areas accessible to the clients and excluding halls, closets, bathrooms, bedrooms, staff or staff's family quarters, laundry areas, storage areas and office areas.

D. Client Bed Rooms

1. Single rooms shall contain at least 80 usable square feet and multi-bed rooms shall contain at least 50 usable square feet per bed. Rooms shall have at least a 7 1/2 foot ceiling height.

2. Any client bedrooms shall not contain more than two beds.
a. Exception. If a child residential facility currently licensed by DCFS is converting to a TGH and has more than two clients per bedroom, then the converted TGH may have bedroom space that allows no more than four clients per designated bedroom.

3. There shall be at least three feet between beds.

4. There shall be sufficient and satisfactory separate storage space for clothing, toilet articles and other personal belongings of clients.

5. There shall be a door for privacy to each individual bedroom. The doors shall not be equipped with locks or any other device that would prohibit the door from being opened from either side.

6. There shall be a functional window in each bedroom.

7. The provider shall ensure that sheets, pillow, bedspread and blankets are provided for each client.

8. Each client shall have his/her own dresser or other adequate storage space for private use and designated space for hanging clothing in proximity to the bedroom occupied by the client.

9. No client over the age of five years shall occupy a bedroom with a member of the opposite sex.

10. The provider shall ensure that the age of client sharing bedroom space is not greater than four years in difference unless contraindicated based on diagnosis, the treatment plan or the behavioral health assessment of the client.

11. Each client shall have his/her own bed. A client's bed shall be longer than the client is tall, no less than 30 inches wide, of solid construction and shall have a clean, comfortable, nontoxic fire retardant mattress.

E. Dining Areas

1. The facility shall have dining areas that permit clients, staff and guests to eat together in small groups.

2. A facility shall have dining areas that are clean, well lit, ventilated and attractively furnished.

F. Bathrooms

1. A facility shall have wash basins with hot and cold water, flush toilets, and bath or shower facilities with hot and cold water according to client care needs. Plumbing fixtures delivering hot water shall be protected by an approved scald control mechanism at the fixture.

2. Each bathroom shall be properly equipped with toilet paper, towels, soap and other items required for personal hygiene unless clients are individually given such items. Clients shall be provided individual items such as hair brushes and toothbrushes.

3. Tubs and showers shall have slip proof surfaces.

4. A facility shall have toilets and baths or showers that allow for individual privacy unless the clients in care require assistance.

5. Toilets, wash basins and other plumbing or sanitary facilities in a facility shall, at all times, be maintained in good operating condition and shall be kept free of any materials that might clog or otherwise impair their operation.

6. A TGH shall have at least one separate toilet, lavatory, and bathing facility for the staff.

7. In a multi-level home, there shall be at least one toilet bowl with accessories, lavatory basin and bathing facility reserved for client use on each client floor.

8. The TGH shall meet the following ratios:
a. one lavatory per six clients;

b. one toilet per six clients; and

c. one shower or tub per six clients.

9. Bathrooms shall contain shatterproof mirrors secured to the walls at convenient heights and other furnishings necessary to meet the clients' basic hygienic needs.

G. Kitchens

1. Kitchens used for meal preparations shall have the equipment necessary for the preparation, serving, storage and clean up of all meals regularly served to all of the clients and staff. If clients prepare meals, additional equipment and space is required. All equipment shall be maintained in proper working order.

2. The provider shall ensure that all dishes, cups and glasses used by clients are free from chips, cracks or other defects and are in sufficient number to accommodate all clients.

3. There shall be trash containers in the kitchen and dining area. Trash containers in kitchens and dining area shall be covered.

H. Laundry. The provider shall have a laundry space complete with washer and dryer.

I. Staff Quarters. The provider utilizing live-in staff shall provide adequate, separate living space with a private bathroom for these staff.

J. Administrative and Counseling Area

1. The provider shall provide a space that is distinct from client's living areas to serve as an administrative office for records, secretarial work and bookkeeping.

2. The provider shall have a designated space to allow private discussions and counseling sessions between individual clients and staff, excluding, bedrooms and common living areas.

K. Furnishings

1. The provider shall have comfortable customary furniture as appropriate for all living areas. Furniture for the use of clients shall be appropriately designed to suit the size and capabilities of the clients.

2. The provider shall promptly replace or repair broken, run-down or defective furnishings and equipment.

L. Doors and Windows

1. The provider shall provide insect screens for all windows that can be opened. The screens shall be in good repair and readily removable in emergencies.

2. The provider shall ensure that all closets, bedrooms and bathrooms are equipped with doors that can be readily opened from both sides.

3. Windows or vents shall be arranged and located so that they can be opened from the inside to permit venting of combustion products and to permit occupants direct access to fresh air in emergencies. The operation of windows shall be restricted to inhibit possible escape or suicide. If the home has an approved engineered smoke control system, the windows may be fixed. Where glass fragments pose a hazard to certain clients, safety glazing and/or other appropriate security features shall be used. The windows shall be covered for privacy, and the coverings shall pose no safety hazard for the clients living in the home.

M. Storage

1. The provider shall ensure that there are sufficient and appropriate storage facilities.

2. The provider shall have securely locked storage space for all potentially harmful materials. Keys to such storage spaces shall only be available to authorized staff members.

N. Electrical Systems

1. The provider shall ensure that all electrical equipment, wiring, switches, sockets and outlets are maintained in good order and in safe condition.

2. The provider shall ensure that any room, corridor or stairway within a facility shall be well lit.

O. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

1. The provider shall take all reasonable precautions to ensure that heating elements, including exposed hot water pipes, are insulated and installed in a manner that ensures the safety of all clients.

2. The provider shall not use open flame heating equipment or portable electrical heaters.

3. All gas heating units and water heaters shall be vented adequately to carry the products of combustion to the outside atmosphere. Vents shall be constructed and maintained to provide a continuous draft to the outside atmosphere in accordance with the recommended procedures of the American Gas Association Testing Laboratories, Inc.

4. All heating units shall be provided with a sufficient supply of outside air so as to support combustion without depletion of the air in the occupied room.

P. Smoking shall be prohibited in all areas of the TGH.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:254 and R.S. 40:2009.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Louisiana may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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