Ind. Admin. Code tit. 465, r. 2-11-79 – Space requirements; furnishings

Sec. 79. (a) No more than two (2) children shall occupy a bedroom. If an institution is providing a private secure facility on the effective date of this rule and the same living unit continues to be used as a private secure facility, the institution shall have three (3) years to comply with this subsection.

(b) Bedrooms shall not be used as locked isolation rooms.

(1) Indoor living space sufficient to permit the separation of children engaged in quiet activities and in active play.
(2) Indoor play space for younger children separate and apart from that provided for older children.
(3) Space for children to study and read.

(d) The child caring institution shall provide the following:

(1) Separate sleeping quarters for male and female children.
(2) At least fifty (50) square feet of floor space or five hundred (500) cubic feet of air space for each child in sleeping rooms.
(3) At least three (3) feet of space between sides and ends of each single bed.
(4) At least five (5) feet of space between sides and ends of each bunk bed. There shall be sufficient space to allow each occupant of the bunk to sit up in bed.

(e) The child caring institution shall provide an individual bed and mattress for each child. The bed shall be of age-appropriate construction, sufficient size for the child using it, and shall be up off the floor.

(f) The child caring institution shall provide bedding as follows:

(1) Mattress protection pad.
(2) Two (2) sheets, a pillow, pillow case, and bed covering sufficient for the comfort of the child.
(3) Clean sheets and pillow cases as often as required for cleanliness and sanitation, and at least once a week.
(4) Water-resistant bed pads for enuretic children and they shall have their linens changed as often as they are wet.

(g) The child caring institution shall provide a private bedroom, separate and apart from the children, for each resident staff member, except that one (1) bedroom for a resident married couple shall meet this requirement.

(h) The child caring institution shall provide the following for the care of a sick child:

(1) Adequate space to permit the isolation of a child who has a communicable disease, or other illness requiring separation. While being used for illness, a room used for isolation shall not be used for any other purpose and shall be closed off from other rooms.
(2) A room which is well-ventilated and heated.
(3) Sanitation of all furnishings after each use for isolation for a communicable disease.

(i) The child caring institution shall provide furnishings which are as follows:

(1) Safe and room appropriate for use.
(2) Maintained and repaired as needed.
(3) Sufficiently varied to meet the needs of the children according to their age, size, and social development.

(j) The child caring institution shall provide a study area which includes the following:

(1) Tables or desks.
(2) Chairs.
(3) Appropriate lighting for reading.

(Department of Child Services; 465 IAC 2-11-79; filed Jun 27, 1991, 12:00 p.m.: 14 IR 2021; readopted filed Jul 12, 2001, 1:40 p.m.: 24 IR 4235; readopted filed Nov 27, 2007, 6:52 a.m.: 20071226-IR-465070551RFA; readopted filed Nov 26, 2013, 4:02 p.m.: 20131225-IR-465130459RFA; readopted filed Oct 10, 2019, 10:42 a.m.: 20191106-IR-465190320RFA; readopted filed Oct 15, 2025, 10:46 a.m.: 20251112-IR-465250623RFA) NOTE: Transferred from the Division of Family Resources (470 IAC 3-13-79) to the Department of Child Services (465 IAC 2-11-79) by P.L.234-2005, SECTION 195, effective July 1, 2005.