(b)

1. (1) Staff members in a childcare center shall be eighteen (18) years of age or older.

2. (2) Exceptions may be allowed for individuals sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years of age to work in a center if they meet all of the following criteria:

   1. (A) The individual shall not have disciplinary control over children;
   2. (B) The individual shall not be left alone with children at any time;
   3. (C) The individual shall be under the direct supervision of an adult staff member at all times;
   4. (D) The individual shall meet all other staff requirements; and
   5. (E) The individual shall be enrolled in a high school or General Education Diploma (GED) curriculum.

(c) All staff members who work directly with children shall have a:

1. (1) High school diploma; or
2. (2) GED.

(d)

1. (1) All staff members who work directly with children shall obtain at least fifteen (15) hours of training each year in continuing early childhood education.

2. (2) This training shall be:

   1. (A) Registered with the Office of Early Childhood professional development registry, Department of Education-approved, or Department of Higher Education-approved; and
   2. (B) Geared toward the age group they spend the majority of their time with.

(f)

1. (1) Staff shall not engage in behavior that could be viewed as sexual, dangerous, exploitative, or physically harmful to children.
2. (2) A caregiver shall not use profanity or speak in an abusive manner when children are present.

(g)

1. (1) No caregiver shall consume or be under the influence of illegal drugs.

2. (2) A drug test may be required if:

   1. (A) There is reasonable cause to suspect violation of this requirement; and
   2. (B) The issue cannot otherwise be resolved.
3. (3) No caregiver shall consume or be under the influence of alcohol while delivering care.
4. (4) No caregiver shall consume or be under the influence of medications, prescription or nonprescription, which impair their ability to provide care.