Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024
A. Initial
Application. Before beginning operation, it is mandatory to obtain a license
from the Department of Social Services. To do so, the following steps should be
followed:
1. Secure an application form
issued by: Department of Social Services Bureau of Licensing, P. O. Box 3078,
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3078. Phone: (504) 922-0015
2. A license will be issued on an initial
application when the licensure inspection verifying compliance is completed and
verification is received by the Bureau of Licensing.
3. When a Provider changes location, it is
mandatory to notify the Bureau of Licensing and program offices as appropriate.
Additionally the provider must submit the processing fee to the
bureau.
4. When a provider changes
ownership, a new application and fee are required.
5. A license is valid for the period for
which it is issued but may be revoked if the provider falls below minimum
standards.
6. The department is
authorized to determine the period during which the license shall be effective.
A license is not transferable to another person or location.
7. If a director or member of his immediate
family has had a previous license revoked or refused, upon re-application,
applicant shall provide satisfactory evidence that the reason for such
revocation no longer exists.
B. Fees
1.
An application processing fee of $25 is required to be submitted with all
initial applications. This fee is to be paid by all providers. All fees are
nonrefundable.
2. Other licensure
fees:
a. $25 replacement fee for any provider
replacing a license when changes are requested by the provider, i.e. change in
provider location, name change, age range change.
b. $5 processing fee for issuing a duplicate
provider license with no changes.
C. Relicensing. The relicensing survey is
similar to the original licensing inspection. The provider will have an
opportunity to review any licensing deficiencies with the licensing specialist
before it is submitted to the State Office.
1. A license is issued for a period of no
more than one year. Provider is totally responsible for applying for license
renewal on an annual basis. Failure to reapply will result in nonrenewal of
license.
2. If the licensure
inspection reveals that the provider is not substantially meeting minimum
requirements, a new license may not be issued.
3. The Department of Social Services shall be
notified before changes are made which might have an effect upon the license
(for example, changes in age range, changes in location).
D. Inspections
1. It shall be the duty of the Department of
Social Services through its duly authorized agents, to inspect at regular
intervals not to exceed one year, or as deemed necessary by the department, and
without previous notice, all crisis care/intervention service
providers.
2. Whenever the
department is advised or has reason to believe that any person or agency or
organization is operating a crisis intervention service without a license, the
department shall make an investigation to ascertain the facts.
E. Waivers
1. The office of the Secretary of the
Department of Social Services shall have the authority to waive any of these
standards for just cause provided the health and safety of the clients and/or
staff are not in jeopardy. If it is determined that the provider or agency is
meeting or exceeding the intent of a standard or regulation, the standard or
regulation may be deemed to be met.
F. Denial, Revocation, or Nonrenewal of
License
1. An application for a license may be
denied for any of the following reasons:
a.
failure to meet any of the minimum standards for licensure.
b. conviction of a felony, as shown by a
certified copy of the record of the court of conviction of the applicant;
i. or if the applicant is a firm or
corporation, of any of its members or officers;
ii. or of any staff providing the crisis
intervention or supervision of the clients.
2. A license may be revoked, or renewal
thereof, denied, for any of the following reasons:
a. cruelty or indifference to the welfare of
the children and adults;
b.
violation of any provision of the minimum standards, rules, regulations, or
orders of the Department of Social Services promulgated thereunder;
c. disapproval from any agency whose approval
is required for licensure;
d. non
payment of application processing fee or failure to submit a licensure
application;
e. any validated
instance of client abuse, corporal punishment, physical punishment, cruel,
severe, or unusual punishment may result in revocation, denial or nonrenewal of
the license if the owner is responsible or if the staff member who is
responsible remains in the employment of the provider.
G. Appeal Procedure. If the
license is refused or revoked because the provider does not meet minimum
requirements for licensure, the procedure is as follows:
1. the Department of Social Services, by
certified letter, shall advise the provider of the reasons for denial or
revocation, and its right of appeal;
2. the provider/owner may appeal this
decision by submitting a written request with the reasons to the Secretary of
the Department of Social Services. Write to Department of Social Services,
Appeals Section, P.O. Box 2994, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-9118. This written
request must be post-marked within 30 days of the director/owner's receipt of
the above notification in 8903.G.1;
3. the Appeals Bureau of the Department of
Social Services shall set a hearing;
4. an appeal hearing officer of the
Department of Social Services shall conduct the hearing. The Department of
Social Services shall advise the appellant by certified letter of the decision,
either affirming or reversing the original decision. If the license is denied
or revoked, the provider shall terminate operation immediately;
5. if the provider continues to operate
without a license, the Department of Social Services may file suit in the
district court in the parish in which the provider is located for injunctive
relief.
AUTHORITY NOTE:
Promulgated in accordance with
R.S.
46:51.