CSSB 268(HES): "An Act relating to facilities for the care of children; to child placement agencies; to maternity homes; to certain residential facilities for adults; and to foster homes for adults; and providing for an effective date."
00CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 268(HES) 01 "An Act relating to facilities for the care of children; to child placement 02 agencies; to maternity homes; to certain residential facilities for adults; and to 03 foster homes for adults; and providing for an effective date." 04 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 05 * Section 1. AS 11.61.195(a) is amended to read: 06 (a) A person commits the crime of misconduct involving weapons in the 07 second degree if the person knowingly 08 (1) possesses a firearm during the commission of an offense under 09 AS 11.71.010 - 11.71.040; or 10 (2) violates AS 11.61.200(a)(1) and is within the grounds of or on a 11 parking lot immediately adjacent to 12 (A) a public or private preschool, elementary, junior high, or 13 secondary school without the permission of the chief administrative officer of 14 the school or district or the designee of the chief administrative officer; or
01 (B) a center, other than a private residence, licensed under 02 AS 47.35 [AS 47.35.010 - 47.35.075] or recognized by the federal government 03 for the care of children. 04 * Sec. 2. AS 11.61.220(a) is amended to read: 05 (a) A person commits the crime of misconduct involving weapons in the fifth 06 degree if the person 07 (1) knowingly possesses a deadly weapon, other than an ordinary 08 pocketknife or a defensive weapon, that is concealed on the person; 09 (2) knowingly possesses a loaded firearm on the person in any place 10 where intoxicating liquor is sold for consumption on the premises; 11 (3) being an unemancipated minor under 16 years of age, possesses a 12 firearm without the consent of a parent or guardian of the minor; 13 (4) knowingly possesses a firearm 14 (A) or a defensive weapon within the grounds of or on a 15 parking lot immediately adjacent to a public or private preschool, elementary, 16 junior high, or secondary school without the permission of the chief 17 administrative officer of the school or district or the designee of the chief 18 administrative officer, except that a person 21 years of age or older may 19 possess 20 (i) an unloaded firearm in the trunk of a motor vehicle 21 or encased in a closed container in a motor vehicle; 22 (ii) a defensive weapon; or 23 (B) within the grounds of or on a parking lot immediately 24 adjacent to a center, other than a private residence, licensed under AS 47.35 25 [AS 47.35.010 - 47.35.075] or recognized by the federal government for the 26 care of children; or 27 (5) possesses or transports a switchblade or a gravity knife. 28 * Sec. 3. AS 18.50.950(4) is amended to read: 29 (4) "child adoption agency" means a child adoption agency licensed 30 under AS 47.35 [AS 47.35.100]; 31 * Sec. 4. AS 25.23.185(c) is amended to read:
01 (c) A child adoption agency licensed under AS 47.35 [AS 47.35.100] shall 02 maintain records of the information required to be furnished to the court under this 03 section or under regulations of the commissioner implementing this section. If a child 04 adoption agency ceases to place persons for adoption, it shall transfer its records to the 05 commissioner. 06 * Sec. 5. AS 44.21.240(2) is amended to read: 07 (2) "long term care facility" means a [FOSTER HOME OR OTHER] 08 residential facility for [DEPENDENT] adults that is required to be licensed under 09 AS 47.35 and a nursing home as defined in AS 08.70.180; 10 * Sec. 6. AS 44.47.305(b) is amended to read: 11 (b) To qualify for a grant under (a) or (d) of this section, the child care facility 12 must 13 (1) be currently licensed under AS 47.35 [AS 47.35.010 - 47.35.075] 14 and applicable municipal licensing requirements; 15 (2) participate in the day care assistance program under AS 44.47.250 16 - 44.47.310; and 17 (3) provide care under a payment system as provided in (g) of this 18 section. 19 * Sec. 7. AS 44.47.310(2) is amended to read: 20 (2) "child care facility" means an establishment licensed under 21 AS 47.35 [AS 47.35.010 - 47.35.075], including [BUT NOT LIMITED TO] day care 22 centers, family day care homes, and schools for preschool age children, which provides 23 care for children not related by blood, marriage, or legal adoption to the owner, 24 operator, or manager of the facility; 25 * Sec. 8. AS 44.47.310(4) is amended to read: 26 (4) "day care facility" means a center or home licensed in accordance 27 with the provisions of AS 47.35 [AS 47.35.010 - 47.35.075] or recognized by the 28 federal government for the care of children; 29 * Sec. 9. AS 44.62.330(a)(24) is amended to read: 30 (24) Department of Health and Social Services, relating to denial, 31 involuntary conditioning, or revocation of a license issued under AS 47.35, or
01 suspension of operations or admissions or assessment of an administrative fine 02 under AS 47.35 [RELATING TO BOARDING AND FOSTER HOMES FOR 03 CHILDREN]; 04 * Sec. 10. AS 47.35 is amended by adding a new section to read: 05 Sec. 47.35.005. PURPOSE; APPLICABILITY. (a) The purpose of this 06 chapter is to establish and maintain standard levels for services offered to children in 07 child care facilities, foster homes, and residential child care facilities; services offered 08 by child placement agencies; and services offered to pregnant individuals in maternity 09 homes. The legislature recognizes the responsibility of parents to select and monitor 10 caregivers for their children in order to ensure a reasonably safe and developmentally 11 appropriate child care environment. The community care licensing procedures in this 12 chapter are intended to reduce predictable risk of harm to children and to provide 13 support services to those providing child care or services. 14 (b) This chapter and regulations adopted under this chapter apply to facilities 15 and agencies 16 (1) for which licensure is required by or under AS 47.35.015; or 17 (2) that are exempt under AS 47.35.015 from licensure but for which 18 a license is issued under AS 47.35.015(g). 19 * Sec. 11. AS 47.35.010 is amended to read: 20 Sec. 47.35.010. POWERS OF DEPARTMENT. (a) The department may 21 (1) license and supervise [BOARDING HOMES,] foster homes, child 22 care facilities, residential child care facilities, child placement agencies, and 23 maternity [GROUP] homes [, NURSERIES, INSTITUTIONS CARING FOR 24 CHILDREN AND FOSTER HOMES, GROUP HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS 25 CARING FOR DEPENDENT ADULTS]; 26 (2) investigate applicants, [AND SUPERVISE] licensees , and persons 27 that the department reasonably believes are operating a facility without a license 28 in violation of this chapter; 29 (3) adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this chapter, 30 including regulations establishing licensure and renewal procedures, [ENFORCE 31 THE] standards, and fees; establishing requirements for operation of facilities or
01 agencies licensed under this chapter; and distinguishing between types of child 02 care facilities [ESTABLISHED BY IT]; 03 (4) enter into agreements [CONTRACT] with private entities, 04 municipalities, or individuals [OR MUNICIPAL AGENCIES] to investigate and 05 make recommendations to the department for the licensing and supervision of 06 [BOARDING HOMES,] foster homes, child care facilities, residential child care 07 facilities, child placement agencies, and maternity [GROUP] homes [, NURSERIES, 08 INSTITUTIONS CARING FOR CHILDREN AND FOSTER HOMES, GROUP 09 HOMES AND INSTITUTIONS CARING FOR DEPENDENT ADULTS] under 10 procedures and standards of operation established by the department [; CONTRACTS 11 WITH PRIVATE AGENCIES UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH ARE GOVERNED BY 12 AS 36.30 (STATE PROCUREMENT CODE)]. 13 (b) The department shall, within 90 days after receiving a written request that 14 it do so, delegate its powers relating to child care facilities [NURSERIES] under this 15 chapter [SECTION AND UNDER AS 47.35.040 - 47.35.060] to a municipality that 16 has adopted an ordinance providing for child [DAY] care licensing under home rule 17 powers under AS 29.10.010 or as authorized under AS 29.35.200 - 29.35.210. A 18 municipality to which these powers have been delegated may adopt, by ordinance, 19 additional requirements for child care facilities operating within its boundaries 20 if the requirements meet or exceed the requirements adopted [WAIVE OR 21 MODIFY ANY REGULATION OR STANDARD ESTABLISHED] by the department 22 [UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF AS 47.35.010 - 47.35.075 AS IT APPLIES TO 23 NURSERIES OR THE APPLICATION OF ANY SUCH REGULATION OR 24 STANDARD AS IT APPLIES TO A PARTICULAR DAY CARE LICENSEE BUT 25 MUST NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT OF ANY WAIVER]. 26 * Sec. 12. AS 47.35 is amended by adding new sections to read: 27 Sec. 47.35.015. LICENSE REQUIRED; EXEMPTIONS. (a) A person may 28 not operate a child care facility without a license issued under this chapter unless that 29 facility is exempt from licensure. The following facilities are exempt: 30 (1) a facility in which child care is regularly provided and each child's 31 parent is on the premises within reasonable proximity and accessibility to the child;
01 (2) a facility located on a United States Department of Defense or 02 United States Coast Guard installation that is located on federal property; 03 (3) a recreational program that children are allowed to attend and in 04 which the program assumes no responsibility for care of the children; 05 (4) a daytime therapeutic program of supervised, educational, and 06 rehabilitative services for children with special needs or behavioral problems; 07 (5) a program that asserts exemption as primarily educational and that 08 either 09 (A) is certified as a pre-elementary school under Department of 10 Education regulations adopted under AS 14.07.020; or 11 (B) serves children three years of age or older and is exempt 12 from Department of Education regulation; 13 (6) a temporary facility providing care for less than five continuous 14 weeks; 15 (7) a facility regularly providing child care to four or fewer children 16 unrelated to the caregiver; 17 (8) a facility in which the caregiver is a relative of all of the children. 18 (b) A person may not operate a foster home without a license issued under this 19 chapter unless that facility provides care only 20 (1) for relatives and the department does not require licensure under an 21 agreement for services; 22 (2) for one or more children nine years of age or older placed by a 23 parent with either 24 (A) authorization for emergency medical care; or 25 (B) a consent to temporary custody; 26 (3) for one or more exchange students placed by a sponsoring agency 27 in a home evaluated and approved by that sponsoring agency; 28 (4) for one or more children who are the subject of a petition for 29 adoption filed by the caregiver pending a final decree of adoption, if a home study has 30 been completed; 31 (5) for one or more children placed for adoption by a child placement
01 agency licensed under this chapter; 02 (6) for a child for up to 72 hours in a nonsecure attendant care setting 03 authorized by the department; or 04 (7) for a child on a 24-hour basis for a period of no more than 30 days 05 in a licensed child care facility meeting requirements for nighttime care adopted by the 06 department by regulation. 07 (c) A person may not operate a residential child care facility without a license 08 issued under this chapter unless that facility is 09 (1) a juvenile facility operated by the state under AS 47.10.150; 10 (2) a medical facility licensed by the department under AS 18.20; 11 (3) a recreational camp providing recreational experiences of no more 12 than one month's duration for a child; or 13 (4) exempt from licensure for a reason set out in (b)(6) or (7) of this 14 section. 15 (d) A person may not operate a maternity home without a license issued under 16 this chapter. 17 (e) A person may not arrange foster home, residential child care facility, 18 adoptive home, or guardianship placements for a child without a child placement 19 agency license issued under this chapter. The requirement for licensure does not apply 20 to 21 (1) state, federal, or municipal governments; 22 (2) school districts; 23 (3) an Indian organization, as defined in 25 U.S.C. 1903(7), that is 24 authorized to make placement decisions under 25 U.S.C. 1918 or 1919; 25 (4) a person who places children for adoption by relatives; or 26 (5) a person who does the arranging on an incidental basis without 27 compensation. 28 (f) In addition to facilities and agencies that, under this section, are exempt 29 from licensure, the department, by regulation, may provide for additional exemptions 30 that the department considers appropriate. 31 (g) A person may apply for a license for a facility or agency that is exempt
01 from licensure under this section. The department may issue a license to an applicant 02 under this subsection if the applicant meets the requirements of this chapter and 03 regulations adopted under this chapter. 04 Sec. 47.35.017. APPLICATION FOR LICENSE. (a) Application for a license 05 to operate a foster home, child care facility, residential child care facility, child 06 placement agency, or maternity home, shall be made to the department on a form 07 provided by the department, and shall be accompanied by any applicable fees 08 established by the department under AS 47.35.010(a)(3). 09 (b) An application submitted under this section must contain at least the 10 following information: 11 (1) the name and address of the applicant, and if the applicant is an 12 agency, corporation, partnership, association, or any other form of organization, the 13 name, address, and title of all individuals who have an ownership or management 14 interest in the facility; 15 (2) the name, physical location, and mailing address of the facility or 16 agency for which the license is sought; 17 (3) the name and address of the administrator of the facility or agency, 18 if any; 19 (4) evidence that the administrator or foster parent is an adult with 20 sufficient experience, training, or education to fulfill the duties of an administrator or 21 foster parent; 22 (5) a release for the administrator or foster parent and for each other 23 person, as specified by the department by regulation, who will have contact with 24 individuals served by the facility or agency, authorizing the department to review all 25 federal, state, and municipal law enforcement, medical, licensing, and protective 26 services records, identified in regulations adopted under this chapter, that are relevant 27 to the person who is the subject of the release and to the type of license for which the 28 application has been submitted; 29 (6) for a facility, the number of individuals that will be served in the 30 facility; 31 (7) the type of facility or agency for which the license is sought;
01 (8) copies of all inspection reports and approvals required by state fire 02 prevention and environmental health and safety authorities for operation of the facility 03 or agency, including any variances granted by these authorities; 04 (9) a plan of operation, as required by the department by regulation; 05 (10) a staffing plan that describes the number of people who will work 06 at the facility or agency, staff qualifications, a description of each person's 07 responsibilities, and, for a facility other than a maternity home, a supervision schedule 08 for the children in care that meets the requirements established by the department by 09 regulation; 10 (11) evidence that the applicant has completed orientation or training 11 required by the department, by regulation, for holders of the type of license for which 12 the application was submitted; and 13 (12) other information required by the department, by regulation, in 14 order to monitor compliance with this chapter and regulations adopted under this 15 chapter. 16 * Sec. 13. AS 47.35 is amended by adding new sections to read: 17 Sec. 47.35.023. PROVISIONAL LICENSE; BIENNIAL LICENSE. (a) The 18 department shall issue a provisional license to a new facility or agency that applies 19 under AS 47.35.017 if, after inspection and investigation, the department determines 20 that the application and plan of operation for the facility or agency meet the 21 requirements of this chapter and regulations adopted under this chapter. A provisional 22 license is valid for a period not to exceed one year. The department may extend a 23 provisional license for one additional period not to exceed one year. 24 (b) Notwithstanding (a) of this section, if an emergency exists and a child must 25 be placed immediately, the department or the department's designee may issue a 26 provisional foster home license for a period of 90 days or less if the department or the 27 department's designee determines that the applicant meets minimal requirements for 28 emergency conditions. 29 (c) Before expiration of a provisional license issued under (a) or (b) of this 30 section, the department shall inspect and investigate the facility or agency in order to 31 determine whether the facility or agency is operating under the provisional license in
01 compliance with this chapter and applicable regulations. 02 (d) Before expiration of a provisional license, the department shall issue a 03 biennial license for the facility or agency if (1) after inspection and investigation under 04 (c) of this section, the department finds that the facility or agency is operating in 05 compliance with, and meets the licensure requirements of, this chapter and regulations 06 adopted under this chapter; (2) the ground for revocation set out in AS 47.35.130(a)(2) 07 does not exist; and (3) all applicable fees have been paid. The department shall 08 prepare a summary report of its findings and recommendations for issuance of a 09 biennial license. 10 (e) The issuance of a license by the department does not obligate the 11 department to place or maintain an individual in the facility or through the agency, or 12 to support the facility or agency financially. 13 Sec. 47.35.025. DENIAL OF LICENSE; RIGHT TO APPEAL. (a) If the 14 department denies an application for a license or decides not to issue a biennial 15 license, the department shall hand deliver to the prospective licensee, or mail to the 16 prospective licensee by certified mail, return receipt requested, a notice of denial of 17 licensure. The notice must contain a summary of the department's reasons for denial 18 of the license and a form for requesting a hearing under (b) of this section. 19 (b) A prospective licensee who was denied licensure may appeal the 20 department's decision by requesting a hearing, on the form provided by the 21 department, within 15 days after receipt of the notice of denial of licensure. 22 Sec. 47.35.027. VARIANCES. (a) The department may grant to an applicant 23 for a license under this chapter, or to a licensee, a variance from a requirement of this 24 chapter or a regulation adopted under this chapter if that person submits to the 25 department, on a form provided by the department, a complete variance request as 26 required by this section. A variance may be granted if 27 (1) the applicant or licensee proposes an alternative means, acceptable 28 to the department, to satisfy the intent of the requirement for which the variance is 29 requested; and 30 (2) the health and safety of children is adequately protected. 31 (b) A request for a variance must contain the following information:
01 (1) the statute or regulation from which the variance is sought; 02 (2) the reasons the variance is needed; 03 (3) the period of time for which the variance is requested; 04 (4) the proposed alternative means of satisfying the intent of the 05 requirement for which the variance is requested; 06 (5) a statement as to how the health and safety of children will be 07 protected during the period of the variance; and 08 (6) assurance that the conditions of the facility or agency do not present 09 an imminent danger to the health or safety of individuals served by the facility or 10 agency. 11 (c) To evaluate a request for a variance, the department shall take one or more 12 of the following actions: 13 (1) investigate the statements in the request; 14 (2) inspect the facility or agency; 15 (3) schedule a conference with the applicant or licensee regarding the 16 variance request. 17 (d) The department's decision approving or denying a variance must be in 18 writing, and the department shall provide a copy of the decision to the person 19 requesting the variance. If the department grants the variance, the decision must state 20 the term of and conditions of the variance. 21 (e) If an applicant or licensee violates a condition of a variance granted under 22 this section, the variance is terminated. 23 Sec. 47.35.029. CONTENT OF LICENSE; POSTING. (a) A license issued 24 under this chapter must state 25 (1) the period of time during which the license is in effect; 26 (2) the name of the facility or agency; 27 (3) the type of facility or agency; 28 (4) the name of the licensee; 29 (5) the location and mailing address of the facility or agency; 30 (6) for a facility other than a maternity home, the number and age 31 range of children that the facility may have in care at any time;
01 (7) any conditions set by the department; 02 (8) variances approved by the department for the duration of the 03 license; and 04 (9) the address and phone number of the nearest department office that 05 is responsible for administering this chapter or of the department representative 06 responsible for evaluating that facility or agency under AS 47.35.010(a)(4). 07 (b) A licensee, except a foster home licensee, shall post the license in a 08 conspicuous place in the facility or agency visible to individuals in care and their 09 families, and to facility or agency staff. If the department has approved a variance that 10 is not stated on the license, the licensee, except a foster home licensee, shall post a 11 copy of the variance near the license. A foster home licensee shall have the facility 12 license available for inspection upon request. 13 * Sec. 14. AS 47.35 is amended by adding a new section to read: 14 Sec. 47.35.033. LICENSES NOT TRANSFERABLE. A license may be issued 15 under this chapter only for the location and person named in the application. A license 16 issued under this chapter may not be transferred to another person or location. 17 * Sec. 15. AS 47.35 is amended by adding new sections to read: 18 Sec. 47.35.037. ORIENTATION AND TRAINING. The department, by 19 regulation, may require that an applicant or licensee complete orientation or training 20 to assist that person in operating under the license. 21 Sec. 47.35.039. RECORDS REQUIRED. (a) In accordance with regulations 22 adopted by the department, a licensee shall keep the records regarding each individual 23 in its care, or that it places, that are necessary to show compliance with this chapter 24 and regulations adopted under this chapter. 25 (b) The department's licensing records, with the names of all individuals in 26 care and parents of minors in care deleted to protect the confidentiality of those 27 individuals, are available for public inspection, except for 28 (1) material made confidential by state or federal statutes or regulations; 29 (2) material that is part of an uncompleted licensing or complaint 30 investigation; 31 (3) records that would deprive an applicant, licensee, or other person
01 of a fair and impartial hearing; and 02 (4) records for which the department determines that disclosure would 03 constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. 04 (c) A government agency that provides funding to a facility or agency licensed 05 under this chapter may have access to that facility's or agency's records in order to 06 conduct an audit. 07 * Sec. 16. AS 47.35 is amended by adding new sections to read: 08 Sec. 47.35.043. MONITORING; INVESTIGATION. (a) By the first 09 anniversary of the effective date of a biennial license, including a renewed biennial 10 license, the licensee shall submit an annual self-monitoring report to the department. 11 The department shall specify, by regulation, the contents of the report. 12 (b) To encourage parents of children in child care facilities to become involved 13 in day-to-day monitoring of the care provided by the facilities, the department shall 14 require licensees to give to parents of children in child care in the licensee's facility 15 a summary of the regulatory requirements that apply to the facility and the 16 department's or department representative's telephone contact number for reporting a 17 concern regarding child care. The department also may provide notice of the 18 telephone contact numbers for reporting child care concerns. 19 (c) The department may conduct an investigation, including announced or 20 unannounced on-site inspections, for ongoing monitoring or to assist in its review of 21 an annual self-monitoring report. 22 Sec. 47.35.045. BIENNIAL LICENSE RENEWAL. (a) At least 90 days 23 before the expiration date of a biennial license, a licensee who wishes to remain 24 licensed shall submit, on a form provided by the department, an application for 25 renewal of the license and any associated variances. 26 (b) Before expiration of a biennial license, the department or its representative 27 shall inspect a facility or agency that is the subject of a renewal application. 28 (c) The department shall renew a biennial license if the department finds that 29 (1) the licensee 30 (A) either is in compliance with this chapter and regulations 31 adopted under this chapter or is substantially in compliance and has
01 implemented a plan of correction, approved by the department, that is designed 02 to bring the facility or agency into full compliance; and 03 (B) has maintained the facility or agency in good repair and is 04 in compliance with all state fire safety and environmental health and safety 05 code requirements; 06 (2) the ground for revocation set out in AS 47.35.130(a)(2) does not 07 exist; and 08 (3) all applicable fees have been paid. 09 (d) If the licensee submits a renewal application within the time period 10 required by the department by regulation, but the department is unable to complete its 11 review before the expiration date of the biennial license, the license is automatically 12 extended for six months, or until the department completes its review and either 13 approves or denies the application, whichever occurs first. 14 (e) If the department decides to approve an application for renewal, but finds 15 that the applicant is not in compliance with a provision of this chapter, a regulation 16 adopted under this chapter, or a condition on the license, the department, as a 17 condition on the renewed biennial license, shall require the applicant to correct any 18 violations and provide the department with verification of compliance. 19 (f) If the department denies an application for renewal, it shall provide the 20 applicant with a notice of denial of application. The notice must contain a written 21 statement of the reasons for denial and a form for requesting a hearing under (g) of 22 this section. 23 (g) An applicant whose application is denied may appeal the department's 24 decision by requesting a hearing, on the form provided by the department, within 15 25 days after receipt of the notice of denial of application. 26 Sec. 47.35.047. NOTICE OF CHANGES. (a) A licensee shall provide the 27 department with written notice of a change of mailing address at least 14 days before 28 the effective date of the change. 29 (b) A licensee shall notify the department within 24 hours after having 30 knowledge of an indictment, charging, or conviction of an administrator, foster parent, 31 member of the licensee's household, regular volunteer, or staff person for a felony, for
01 a misdemeanor crime of assault, reckless endangerment, contributing to the 02 delinquency of a minor, or misconduct involving a controlled substance, for the crime 03 of perjury, as defined in AS 11 or the laws of another jurisdiction, or for a sex crime 04 as defined in AS 12.62.035. 05 (c) A licensee shall notify the department at least 20 days before the effective 06 date of a decision to relinquish the license. 07 (d) A licensee shall notify the department at least 20 days before the date on 08 which the licensee wishes to change the number of children in care or hours of 09 operation. 10 (e) A licensee shall notify the department no later than one day after signing 11 a contract for sale of the licensed facility or agency. 12 (f) A licensee shall notify the department at least 30 days before the licensee 13 wishes to change the location of the facility or agency. 14 * Sec. 17. AS 47.35 is amended by adding new sections to read: 15 Sec. 47.35.105. COMPLAINTS. (a) A person who believes that a provision 16 of this chapter, a regulation adopted under this chapter, or a condition of a license 17 issued under this chapter has been violated may file a verbal or written complaint with 18 the department. 19 (b) The department shall investigate all complaints filed under this section 20 unless the department reasonably concludes that the complaint is without merit. 21 (c) After an investigation under this section, the department shall prepare a 22 written report of investigation and shall mail a copy to the licensee or other person 23 who is the subject of the complaint, and to the complainant if requested. If the 24 department determines that a violation of this chapter, a regulation adopted under this 25 chapter, or a condition of a license issued under this chapter has occurred, the 26 department's report of investigation must contain the following: 27 (1) a description of the violation; 28 (2) a citation to the provision of this chapter or the regulation that has 29 been violated, if applicable; and 30 (3) either 31 (A) a date by which the violation must be corrected and a
01 verification of compliance submitted to the department; or 02 (B) a plan of correction. 03 (d) A licensee may submit to the department a written response regarding a 04 report of investigation relating to that facility or agency. The department shall retain 05 the written response in the licensing file. 06 (e) A licensee may not take retaliatory action against a person who files a 07 complaint. A complainant against whom retaliatory action has been taken may recover 08 treble damages in a civil action upon a showing that the actions were taken in 09 retaliation for the filing of a complaint. 10 Sec. 47.35.110. INVESTIGATIONS; SEARCH WARRANTS. (a) An 11 applicant for a license, or a licensee, shall cooperate with the department for purposes 12 of licensing investigations, investigations relating to ongoing monitoring of the facility 13 or agency, or investigations under AS 47.35.105 by 14 (1) permitting representatives of the department to inspect the facility 15 or agency, review records, interview staff, and interview individuals in care; and 16 (2) providing to the department information and documentation 17 requested by the department to determine compliance with this chapter and regulations 18 adopted under this chapter. 19 (b) Following an investigation relating to ongoing monitoring of a facility or 20 agency or relating to a facility that the department believes is operating without a 21 license in violation of this chapter, the department shall prepare and distribute a written 22 report of investigation as described in AS 47.35.105(c), and the facility or agency may 23 submit a response as described in AS 47.35.105(d). 24 (c) The department may seek a search warrant to inspect a facility or agency 25 if the 26 (1) department has probable cause to believe that the facility or agency 27 is operating without a license in violation of this chapter and the facility or agency 28 operator refuses to allow an inspection by the department; or 29 (2) licensee refuses to allow an inspection of the facility or agency by 30 the department. 31 Sec. 47.35.120. ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS. (a) During an investigation
01 under this chapter, the department, by written notice, may suspend operations of the 02 facility or agency if the department has reasonable cause to believe that a violation is 03 occurring that presents an imminent danger to the health or safety of the individuals 04 in care. A suspension under this subsection continues for the time period set by the 05 department and may continue until the department issues a report of investigation 06 under AS 47.35.105(c) or 47.35.110(b). 07 (b) If, after an investigation under this chapter, the department has determined 08 that a violation of this chapter or a regulation adopted under this chapter has occurred 09 or a ground for revocation or nonrenewal set out in AS 47.35.130 exists, has issued 10 a report of investigation under AS 47.35.105(c) or 47.35.110(b), and has determined 11 that voluntary compliance or a plan of correction is not appropriate, the department 12 may take one or more of the following enforcement actions, as the department 13 considers appropriate: 14 (1) delivery of a warning notice to the licensee or other person who is 15 the subject of the investigation; 16 (2) modification of the term of an existing license or reduction of the 17 number of children for whom care can be provided; 18 (3) suspension of operations of the facility or agency for a period of 19 time set by the department; 20 (4) suspension of admissions to the facility for a period of time set by 21 the department; 22 (5) nonrenewal of the license; 23 (6) revocation of the license; 24 (7) issuance of an order requiring immediate closure of the facility or 25 agency; 26 (8) assessment of an administrative fine of up to $500 for each day a 27 violation continues, not to exceed a total of $5,000 for a violation. 28 (c) The department shall provide the licensee or other person who is the 29 subject of an investigation with written notice of the department's decision under (b) 30 of this section to take enforcement action. The notice must contain a form for 31 requesting a hearing under (d) of this section and must describe
01 (1) each enforcement action that will be taken; 02 (2) the condition, if any, in the facility or agency that constitutes a 03 violation of this chapter or a regulation adopted under this chapter; 04 (3) the licensee's or other person's right to appeal the department's 05 decision to take an enforcement action described in (b)(2) - (8) of this section. 06 (d) A licensee or other person to whom a notice has been provided under (a) 07 or (c) of this section may appeal the department's decision to impose an enforcement 08 action described in (a) or (b)(2) - (8) of this section by filing a written request for a 09 hearing, on the form provided by the department, within 15 days after receipt of the 10 notice of enforcement action. 11 (e) Unless the violation that prompted enforcement action under (b) of this 12 section presents an imminent danger to the health or safety of the individuals in care, 13 an enforcement action described in a notice provided under (c) of this section may not 14 be imposed until the 15 (1) time period for requesting a hearing under (d) of this section has 16 passed without a hearing being requested; or 17 (2) department makes a final decision following a hearing requested 18 under (d) of this section. 19 (f) If a hearing is requested under (d) of this section, the department's decision 20 following the hearing is a final administrative order. 21 (g) If a hearing is not requested under (d) of this section, the department's 22 notice of enforcement action constitutes a final administrative order, which the 23 department may seek the court's assistance in enforcing. 24 (h) A licensee whose license was revoked or not renewed under this section 25 may not reapply for licensure under this chapter until after the time period, if any, set 26 by the department in its final administrative order. 27 (i) Assessment of an administrative fine under this section does not preclude 28 imposition of a criminal penalty under AS 47.35.820. 29 Sec. 47.35.130. GROUNDS FOR LICENSE REVOCATION OR 30 NONRENEWAL. (a) In addition to the ground of violation of this chapter or a 31 regulation adopted under this chapter, the department may revoke, or decline to renew,
01 a license issued under this chapter on one or more of the following grounds: 02 (1) failure to submit a timely and complete renewal application; 03 (2) the indictment, charging, or conviction within the last 10 years, of 04 the licensee or administrator for a felony; a misdemeanor crime of assault, reckless 05 endangerment, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, or misconduct involving a 06 controlled substance; or the crime of perjury, as defined in AS 11 or the laws of 07 another jurisdiction; 08 (3) the indictment, charging, or conviction of the licensee or an 09 administrator, foster parent, member of the licensee's household, regular volunteer, or 10 staff person at any time for a sex crime as defined in AS 12.62.035; 11 (4) obtaining or attempting to obtain or retain a license under this 12 chapter by fraudulent means, misrepresentation, or by submitting false information; 13 (5) failure to correct a violation noted in a report of investigation 14 provided under AS 47.35.105(c) or 47.35.110(b); or 15 (6) failure to comply with a final administrative order issued by the 16 department under AS 47.35.120. 17 (b) A licensee may voluntarily relinquish the license or withdraw an 18 application for renewal. 19 ARTICLE 2. ADULT FACILITIES. 20 Sec. 47.35.210. POWERS OF DEPARTMENT REGARDING ADULT 21 RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES. The department may 22 (1) license and supervise adult residential care facilities; 23 (2) investigate applicants, licensees, and persons that the department 24 believes are operating an adult residential care facility without a license in violation 25 of AS 47.35.210 - 47.35.250; 26 (3) adopt regulations to implement the provisions of AS 47.35.210 - 27 47.35.250, including regulations establishing licensure and operating standards; 28 application and licensure procedures and fees; license renewal procedures, standards, 29 and fees; procedures and standards for variances; and procedures regarding 30 enforcement actions and appeals; 31 (4) enter into agreements with private or municipal agencies, or with
01 individuals, to investigate and make recommendations to the department for the 02 licensing and supervision of adult residential care facilities under procedures and 03 standards of operation established by the department. 04 Sec. 47.35.220. LICENSE REQUIRED. A person may not operate an adult 05 residential care facility without a license issued under AS 47.35.210 - 47.35.250 unless 06 the facility is a Pioneers' Home operated by the state under AS 47.55. 07 Sec. 47.35.230. APPLICATION FOR LICENSE; LICENSING. Except as 08 otherwise provided in regulations adopted by the department, the procedures and 09 requirements in AS 47.35.017, 47.35.023, 47.35.025, 47.35.027, 47.35.029, 47.35.033, 10 and 47.35.045 apply to application for license for and licensure of an adult residential 11 care facility. 12 Sec. 47.35.240. RECORDS; REPORTS. (a) As required by the department 13 by regulation, the licensee for an adult residential care facility shall 14 (1) keep records regarding adults in care in the facility; and 15 (2) submit reports to the department. 16 (b) The department's licensing records, with the names of adults in care 17 deleted, are available for public inspection, except for material described in 18 AS 47.35.039(b)(1) - (4). 19 (c) A government agency that provides funding to a facility licensed under 20 AS 47.35.210 - 47.35.250 may have access to the facility's records in order to conduct 21 an audit. 22 (d) The provisions of AS 47.35.047(a), (b), (c), (e), and (f), regarding notice 23 to the department of certain changes, apply to an adult residential care facility licensed 24 under AS 47.35.210 - 47.35.250. 25 Sec. 47.35.250. COMPLAINTS; INVESTIGATIONS; ENFORCEMENT 26 ACTIONS. Except as provided otherwise in regulations adopted by the department, 27 the provisions of AS 47.35.105, 47.35.110, 47.35.120, and 47.35.130, regarding 28 complaints, investigations, and enforcement actions, apply to an adult residential care 29 facility. 30 ARTICLE 3. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. 31 Sec. 47.35.800. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE. The administrative
01 adjudication provisions of AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act) apply to an appeal 02 from a department decision under this chapter relating to denial, involuntary 03 conditioning, or revocation of a license, suspension of operations or admissions, or 04 assessment of an administrative fine. 05 Sec. 47.35.810. IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY. (a) A person operating 06 under agreement with the department under AS 47.35.010(a)(4) is immune from civil 07 liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed for acts or omissions that 08 occurred during the performance of the person's duties on behalf of the department if 09 the person was operating within the scope of the duties delegated to the person under 10 the agreement. 11 (b) The department and its employees are not liable for civil damages as a 12 result of an act or omission in the licensing, monitoring, or supervision of a facility 13 or agency licensed under this chapter. This subsection does not preclude liability for 14 civil damages as a result of gross negligence or reckless or intentional misconduct. 15 Sec. 47.35.820. PENALTY. A person who violates a provision of this chapter 16 or a regulation adopted under this chapter is guilty of a class B misdemeanor. 17 * Sec. 18. AS 47.35.900 is repealed and reenacted to read: 18 Sec. 47.35.900. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter, 19 (1) "administrator" means an individual who has general administrative 20 charge and oversight of a facility or agency; 21 (2) "agency" means a child placement agency; 22 (3) "child" means an individual under 18 years of age, and includes an 23 individual who is a relative of a care provider, administrator, or foster parent; 24 (4) "child care" means, care, supervision, and provision of 25 developmental opportunities, with or without compensation, to a child who does not 26 have a parent present; 27 (5) "child care facility" means a place where child care is regularly 28 provided for children under the age of 12 for periods of time that are less than 24 29 hours in duration unless nighttime care is authorized by the department; 30 (6) "child placement agency" means a person who arranges for 31 placement of a child
01 (A) in a foster home, residential child care facility, or adoptive 02 home; or 03 (B) for guardianship purposes; 04 (7) "department" means the Department of Health and Social Services; 05 (8) "facility" means the administration, program, and physical plant of 06 a foster home, child care facility, residential child care facility, or maternity home; 07 (9) "foster home" means a place where the adult head of household 08 provides 24-hour care 09 (A) on a continuing basis for compensation from the department 10 for one or more children who are apart from their parents; or 11 (B) intended to be on a continuing basis of 45 days or more 12 without compensation from the department for one or more children who are 13 apart from their parents; 14 (10) "home study" means a written report of an investigation of the 15 prospective adoptive or foster parent or parents' ability to care for a child that has been 16 prepared in accordance with AS 25.23.100(f); 17 (11) "licensee" means a person to whom a license has been issued 18 under this chapter; 19 (12) "maternity home" means a place of residence whose primary 20 function, with or without compensation, is to give care to pregnant individuals, 21 regardless of age, before or after the individual gives birth, or that provides care, as 22 needed, to mothers and their newborn infants; 23 (13) "nonsecure attendant care setting" means an unlocked place that 24 is an alternative to an adult jail or other locked setting, where an employee, adult head 25 of household, or volunteer provides care for one or more children 10 years of age or 26 older who are under arrest and who are apart from their parents; 27 (14) "parent" means a birth or adoptive parent or a legal guardian; 28 (15) "recreational camp" means a place that provides recreational 29 opportunities to children who attend with the consent of their parent; 30 (16) "relative" means an individual who is related to another through 31 any of the following relationships, by blood, adoption, or marriage: parent,
01 grandparent, great grandparent, brother, sister, stepparent, stepsister, stepbrother, 02 cousin, aunt, uncle, great-aunt, great-uncle or step-grandparent; 03 (17) "residential child care facility" means a place, staffed by 04 employees, where one or more children who are apart from their parents receive 24-hour care on a continuing basis. 05 * Sec. 19. AS 47.40.110 is amended to read: 06 Sec. 47.40.110. LICENSING AND SUPERVISION. A person providing 07 services purchased by the Department of Health and Social Services under 08 AS 47.40.100 - 47.40.120 shall, if required to be licensed under AS 47.35, be licensed 09 and supervised in the same manner as foster homes and [, BOARDING HOMES,] 10 maternity homes [, AND OTHER AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS] under 11 AS 47.35. 12 * Sec. 20. AS 47.35.020, 47.35.030, 47.35.035, 47.35.040, 47.35.055, 47.35.060, 47.35.070, 13 47.35.075, 47.35.090, and 47.35.100 are repealed. 14 * Sec. 21. APPLICABILITY; IMPLEMENTATION. (a) AS 47.35, as amended by this 15 Act, applies to all foster homes, child care facilities, residential child care facilities, child 16 placement agencies, and maternity homes, as defined in AS 47.35.900, as amended by sec. 18 17 of this Act, that are in operation on January 1, 1996, as well as to all such facilities and 18 agencies that begin operation on or after January 1, 1996. 19 (b) A foster home, child care facility, residential child care facility, child placement 20 agency, or maternity home, as defined in AS 47.35.900, as amended by sec. 18 of this Act, 21 that is in operation on January 1, 1996, and that was licensed by the Department of Health and 22 Social Services before January 1, 1996, may continue to operate under that license until the 23 expiration date of the license, or until a complaint is filed, whichever occurs first. On the date 24 that the license expires or a complaint is filed, whichever occurs first, the procedures in 25 AS 47.35, as amended by this Act, including license renewal procedures, first apply to such 26 a facility or agency. 27 (c) If AS 47.35.210 - 47.35.250, enacted in sec. 17 of this Act, take effect, AS 47.35, 28 as amended by this Act, applies to residential facilities for dependent adults and to foster 29 homes for adults that are in operation on January 1, 1996, as well as to adult residential care 30 facilities that begin operation on or after January 1, 1996. A residential facility for dependent 31 adults or a foster home for adults that is in operation on January 1, 1996, and that was
01 licensed by the Department of Health and Social Services before that date may continue to 02 operate under that license until the expiration date of the license or until a complaint is filed, 03 whichever occurs first. On the date that the license expires or a complaint is filed, whichever 04 occurs first, the adult residential care facility procedures in AS 47.35, as amended by this Act, 05 including license renewal procedures, first apply to such a facility or foster home. 06 * Sec. 22. TRANSITION; REGULATIONS. Notwithstanding secs. 25 and 26 of this Act, 07 the Department of Health and Social Services may proceed to adopt regulations necessary to 08 implement the provisions of this Act. The regulations take effect under AS 44.62 09 (Administrative Procedure Act), but not before January 1, 1996. 10 * Sec. 23. AS 47.35.210 - 47.35.250, enacted in sec. 17 of this Act, take effect only if a 11 bill that provides for a licensing and regulatory structure for residential facilities for adults 12 other than this Act is not enacted into law after passing the Second Session of the Eighteenth 13 Alaska State Legislature. 14 * Sec. 24. Sections 22 and 23 of this Act take effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c). 15 * Sec. 25. Except for AS 47.35.210 - 47.35.250, enacted in sec. 17 of this Act, secs. 1 - 16 21 of this Act take effect January 1, 1996. 17 * Sec. 26. Subject to sec. 23 of this Act, AS 47.35.210 - 47.35.250, enacted in sec. 17 of 18 this Act, take effect January 1, 1996.