1. (1) Compliance with Local Codes. Adult safe houses must comply with all local codes and provide written proof of compliance to the Department.

   1. (a) Safety and Sanitation Inspection. Prior to the issuance of a certification or to recertify, the adult safe house must be inspected by a representative from the Department using the “Adult Safe House Health Inspection Checklist” form CF 1958, (June 2025), which is incorporated by reference and available at HYPERLINK "http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-18187"http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-18187. Written approval of satisfactory safety and sanitation conditions must be on file.
   2. (b) Fire Inspection. Adult safe houses must ensure that a fire safety inspection, which conforms to fire safety standards as determined by each municipality, county, and special district with fire safety responsibilities, is conducted annually.
   3. (c) Radon Test. Adult safe houses must obtain a satisfactory radon test if required by the city or county.
   4. (d) Local Zoning. Adult safe houses must notify local zoning office at time of initial certification of the intent to provide residential services to adults experiencing trauma.

2. (2) Buildings, Grounds, and Interior Accommodations.

   1. (a) Design, Construction, and Accessibility. The design and construction of new adult safe houses or renovations to an existing adult safe house must meet the minimum requirements of the applicable state and local governing agencies.
   2. (b) Adult safe houses must have proper illumination and ventilation. All interior areas occupied by residents must be temperature-controlled in a manner conducive to comfort, safety, and privacy.

   3. (c) Grounds must be well kept and free from health and safety hazards.

      1. If serving children, adult safe houses with swimming pools, spas or near open water hazards must have lifesaving equipment available and accessible in case of an emergency.

      2. If an outside play area is made available for children, the area must be free of debris and broken or dangerous materials and must be routinely checked for safety. Play areas must be fenced in accordance with local ordinances to prevent access by children to all water hazards within or adjacent to outdoor play areas, such as pools, ditches, retention, and fishponds.

   4. (d) Interior Accommodations.

      1. The adult safe house must be furnished to create a homelike environment.

      2. A common area should be available for the informal use of the residents, to include an area large enough to accommodate the number of residents who reside in the adult safe house.

      3. If offices for administrative functions are co-located in the house, they must be separate from the living and sleeping area.

      4. There must be adequate space to allow human trafficking advocates and residents to talk privately and without interruption.

      5. Bathrooms must be in working condition with water and electricity and include locking mechanism on the entry door for privacy.

      6. Bedrooms.

      a. The adult safe house must provide each resident with storage for clothing and personal belongings, which must be reserved solely for the individual to use. Residents shall have access to their personal belongings at all times unless otherwise considered contraband or unsafe to residents.

      b. Adult safe houses must provide each resident with a safe, permanent, and comfortable bed and mattress in good repair. Clean sheets, pillows, pillowcases, and blankets must be provided to each resident upon arrival.

      c. Children accompanying their caregiver to the adult safe house must be provided with their own bed or crib that is appropriate for the child’s age.

      d. The adult safe house must arrange for the residents and their children to have their own room, separate from other residents. The adult safe house may allow for multiple families to share a room when an assessment deems it appropriate, and the families agree to sharing a room. Families that share rooms shall be responsible for the supervision and care of their own children.

      e. Residents shall have the right to keep their bedroom door closed. The adult safe house may inspect the bedroom when there are concerns of safety or suspected contraband. If the adult safe house allows for locks on doors, staff must have a key to enter when there is an emergency. Adult safe houses that do not allow for locks, must have signs on the bedroom door that allow residents to use for privacy.

      7. Laundry. Laundry rooms must be available to residents and located in an area separate from areas occupied by residents.

3. (3) Safety, Security, and Food Service Requirements. The adult safe house must take precautionary measures to provide for the safety and well-being of residents.

   1. (a) Safety.

      1. A route of evacuation must be posted in conspicuous places in the event of a fire and other emergency situations. The route must be reviewed with staff and residents according to the adult safe house’s policy. The evacuation map must include the following:

      a. Clearly identify all exits of the house, i.e. doors, windows;

      b. Identify the location of any emergency equipment, such as fire extinguishers or first aid kits; and

      c. Identify safe assembly points in the event of an evacuation.

      2. Transportation. Vehicles used to transport residents must be maintained in a safe operating condition. The number of persons in a vehicle used to transport residents must not exceed the number of available seats; appropriate restraining devices must be used when transporting residents in vehicles. All vehicles shall be fully insured to transport residents and all staff operating vehicles must have a valid divers license.

      3. Methods of Communication. The adult safe house must have communication access available for use in the house at all times by staff and residents. The adult safe house may limit access to communication in accordance with the resident’s care plan, when applicable.

      a. Methods of communication may include mobile or landline telephones, computers for video communication or conferencing, or mobile devices equipped to make phone calls.

      b. Emergency numbers, such as 911, poison control, Florida Abuse Hotline, Florida Human Trafficking Hotline, and local law enforcement agencies must be posted in a clear and conspicuous location in the adult safe house.

      4. Communicable Disease Prevention and Preparedness. In the event of a pandemic, epidemic or outbreak, the adult safe house must utilize resources issued by the Florida Department of Health (DOH).

      5. Adult safe house must follow the emergency management plan developed to address the safety of staff and residents and the directives of its local emergency management center.

      6. The adult safe house must maintain ongoing communication with the Department throughout an evacuation until their safe return.

      7. The adult safe house must notify the Department within 24 hours upon learning of any structural damages to the property or building that effect the safety of residents. The adult safe house must submit a written plan to the Department within 48 hours of notification outlining their plan for resident safety, including when the damages will be corrected.

      8. Grievance. The adult safe house must post the grievance procedure, which allows the residents and staff to make complaints anonymously without fear of retaliation. The information should be prominently posted in areas frequented by the residents and where it can be read without scrutiny. The procedure must be explained to the residents at the time of admission and staff at time of hire. Copies of grievances must be provided to the Department upon request.

      9. Incident Reporting. The adult safe house must submit the “Incident Reporting” form CF 1959, (June 2025), which is herein incorporated by reference and available at HYPERLINK "http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-18188"http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-18188, to the Department as soon as practical, and in no event more than 24 hours after an incident outlined in the form has occurred.

      10. Resident’s Rights. The adult safe house must post any laws and policies that protect the rights of residents in a common area.

   2. (b) Food and Nutrition. If the adult safe house serves meals, three well-balanced meals a day must be offered in the morning, noon, and evening. The adult safe house must prepare meals according to an individual’s special dietary requirements.

   3. (c) Security Measures.

      1. Coordination with Law Enforcement. The adult safe house must inform the local law enforcement agency within the county or city of its intent to establish a secure house for residents and provide the law enforcement agency with a method for making referrals for admission and services. The adult safe house may only disclose the location when in accordance with Section 787.06(10) F.S.

      2. Narcotics, alcohol, or other impairing drugs are prohibited on the premises. This does not include prescription medications.

      3. Smoking and vaping is prohibited within the adult safe house, all outdoor play areas, and in vehicles. The adult safe house may designate specific areas for smoking and vaping.

      4. To protect the privacy of residents, electronic surveillance systems may not be installed in bedrooms, bathrooms, and hallways adjacent to bedrooms or bathrooms in the adult safe houses. Electronic surveillance systems may be installed in the common areas, by entrance and exit doors, in parking areas, and other outside areas of the adult safe house. If there is electronic surveillance, all residents must be notified of such surveillance in writing, at the time of admission in the adult safe house and when new surveillance is installed. Exterior doors must have working and secured locks to ensure the safety of residents; windows must have working locking mechanisms; and safe houses may include additional safety measures such as alarm systems, for added security measures.

      5. The adult safe house shall allow the Department to review the surveillance upon request.

Rulemaking Authority 402.881 FS. Law Implemented 402.881 FS. History-New 7-16-25.