Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 24 - Mental Health
Part 2 - Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) Operational Standards for Mental Health, Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Community Service Providers
Chapter 13 - Health and Safety
Rule 24-2-13.9 - Additional Environment and Safety for Supervised Living Services for Serious Mental Illness and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities

Universal Citation: MS Code of Rules 24-2-13.9

Current through December 10, 2024

This rule applies specifically to additional environment and safety requirements for Supervised Living Services for SMI and IDD. Supervised Living Services for SMI and IDD must follow the applicable parts of this rule in addition to all other applicable Health, Environment, and Safety rules included in this chapter. When a rule in this section may overlap with another rule in Chapter 13, the provider must adhere to the more stringent rule.

A. Supervised Living Services for Serious Mental Illness and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities:

1. Supervised Living Services locations must, to the maximum extent possible, duplicate a "home-like" environment.

2. All locations must have furnishings that are safe, up-to-date, comfortable, appropriate, and adequate. Furnishings, to the greatest extent possible, are chosen by the people currently living in the home.

3. All agency providers must provide access to a washer and dryer in the home, apartment, or apartment complex and must ensure the laundry room or area has an exterior ventilation system for the clothes dryer free from excessive lint and dust accumulation.

4. Bedrooms must meet the following dimension requirements:

(a) Single room occupancy - at least 100 square feet; and

(b) Multiple occupancy - at least 80 square feet for each person.

5. Bedrooms must be appropriately furnished with a minimum of a single bed, chest of drawers, appropriate lighting, and adequate storage/closet space for each person.

6. Bedrooms must be located to minimize the entrance of unpleasant odors, excessive noise, or other nuisances.

7. Beds must be provided with a good grade of mattress which is at least four (4) inches thick on a raised bed frame. Cots or roll-away beds may not be used.

8. Each bed must be equipped with a minimum of one (1) pillow and case, two (2) sheets, spread, and blanket(s). An adequate supply of linens must be available to change linens at least once a week, or sooner if the linens become soiled.

9. People have the freedom to furnish and decorate their own rooms in compliance with any lease restrictions that may be in place regarding wall color, wall hangings, etc.

10. All service locations must have a bathroom with at least one (1) operable toilet, one (1) operable lavatory/sink, and one (1) operable shower or tub for every six (6) people.

11. All service locations must ensure bathtubs and showers are equipped with:

(a) Soap dishes.

(b) Towel racks.

(d) Grab bars (as needed by people).

12. Each person must be provided at least two (2) sets of bath linens, including bath towels, hand towels, and wash cloths.

13. Auditory smoke/fire alarms with a noise level loud enough to awaken people must be located in each bedroom, hallways and/or corridors, and common areas.

14. Residential facilities using fuel burning equipment and/or appliances (i.e., gas heater, gas water heater, etc.) must have carbon monoxide alarms/detectors placed in a central location outside of sleeping areas.

15. Each bedroom must have designated, safe means of egress (Refer to Rule 13.3.B for additional information).

16. The exit door(s) nearest people's bedrooms must not be locked in a manner that prohibits ease of egress.

17. People must not have to travel through any room not under their control (i.e., subject to locking) to reach designated exit, visiting area, dining room, kitchen, or bathroom.

18. All agency providers must ensure visiting areas are provided for people and visitors, and each visiting area must have designated, safe means of egress. (Refer to Rule 13.3.B for additional information).

19. All service locations must have separate storage areas for:

(a) Sanitary linen;

(b) Food (Food supplies cannot be stored on the floor.); and

20. The setting is integrated in and supports full access to the community to the same extent as people not receiving Supervised Living Service.

B. Supervised Living Services for Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities:

1. Agency providers must provide furnishings used in common areas (den, dining, and bathrooms) if:

(a) The person does not have these items; or

(b) These items are not provided through Transition Assistance through the ID/DD Waiver.

2. People must have keys to their living unit (e.g. house or apartment) if they so choose. Documentation must be maintained in each person's record upon admission and at least annually thereafter.

3. Bedrooms must have lockable entrances with each person having a key to their bedroom, if they choose, with only appropriate personnel having keys. Documentation must be maintained in each person's record upon admission and at least annually thereafter.

4. People may share bedrooms based on their choices. Individual rooms are preferred, but no more than two (2) people may share a bedroom. Each person sharing a bedroom must be provided means to secure their belongings, for example lockable closet or lockable footlocker, depending on the needs/desires of the person.

5. DMH does not certify Supervised Living settings for people with IDD in manufactured housing.

Miss. Code Ann. § 41-4-7

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Mississippi 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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