Current through Supplement No. 394, October, 2024
The foster care provider shall reside in a dwelling occupied
by an individual or a single family. The foster care provider's dwelling must
be in compliance with applicable state or local zoning requirements and must
meet the following criteria:
1.
General dwelling areas must include:
a.
Cleanliness, neatness, and may not include hazards that jeopardize health and
safety;
b. Adequate light, heat,
ventilation, and plumbing;
c. A
kitchen with operating sink, refrigerator, stove, and oven;
d. A bathroom with sink, toilet, and bathtub
or shower;
e. Interior doors that
allow for entry from the outside in an emergency when locked;
f. Exterior doors maintained to permit easy
exit;
g. Doors that prevent a child
from being trapped, including closet doors that can open from the
inside;
h. An operational
telecommunications device; and
i.
Proper storage of medications, alcohol, poisonous materials, cleaning supplies,
and other hazardous materials to prevent access to children, which is
appropriate for the age and development of the children in placement.
2. Sleeping space in the dwelling
must:
a. Accommodate the size of the
household, including an individual bed and bedding for each child in foster
care;
b. Prohibit co-sleeping or
bed sharing with a child in foster care; and
c. Have more than one exit, including an
accessible window that opens to the outside.
3. Fire safety parameters in the dwelling
must include:
a. Compliance with local
building code and guidelines prescribed by the local fire department or state
fire marshal regarding fire safety in a dwelling;
b. Completion of a fire safety
self-declaration;
(1) The department may
request the foster care provider satisfactorily complete a fire inspection by
the local fire inspector or, in the absence of a local fire inspector, the
state fire marshal; and
(2) If an
inspection is required, the foster care provider shall ensure all deficiencies
noted during the inspection are remedied in efforts to obtain a license,
certification, or approval;
c. Smoke detectors installed and maintained
in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and located in areas defined
in the fire code;
d. Carbon
monoxide detectors, where applicable, installed and maintained in accordance
with the manufacturer's instructions and located in areas defined in the fire
code; and
e. 2A 10BC fire
extinguishers certified by Underwriters' Laboratories maintained in accordance
with the manufacturer's instructions and located in areas defined in the fire
code.
4. Food, water, and
milk consumption in the dwelling must include:
a. Food in wholesome condition, free from
spoilage or contamination, and safe for human consumption;
b. Water supply in compliance with
regulations for human consumption as noted in North Dakota Century Code chapter
33.1-16. Water must be from an approved municipal water system where available.
If a municipal system is not available, a water sample must pass the approved
drinking water standard bacteriological water analysis testing. The foster care
provider shall obtain results from an environmental protection agency
laboratory approved by the department; and
c. The milk supply consumed in the family
foster home for children must be obtained from a department-approved
source.
5. Firearms must
be kept in locked storage or trigger locks must be used, and ammunition must be
kept separate from firearms.
6.
Transportation must be available, reliable, legal, and safe to transport
children in placement.
7. Pets
belonging to the foster care provider must be properly vaccinated per
veterinary guidelines.
8. Swimming
pools must meet safety standards prescribed by the department. In the ground or
aboveground swimming pools with a depth of four feet or greater must have a
barrier on all sides to minimize unsupervised access.
9. Hot tubs on the premises must have a
safety cover that is locked when not in use.
General Authority: NDCC 50-11-03,
50-11-04
Law Implemented: NDCC
50-11-02
