PURPOSE: This rule explains what is required in a physical structure. It further describes sleeping arrangements and fire and safety requirements.

1. (1) General Requirements.

   1. (A) The foster parent(s) shall be so located that they have access to schools, recreational, religious or other community resources.
   2. (B) The home shall be so constructed, arranged and maintained as to provide adequately for the health and safety of all occupants. It shall be of size and space and shall have furnishings and equipment to accommodate comfortably both the foster family and foster children in their care.
   3. (C) The division may require inspection of the home by fire, health, sanitation or safety officials when in the agency’s judgment such expert opinion is needed to assist in making a decision about the safety of the home for the care of foster children. The home must comply with all local, county and state ordinances.
   4. (D) All flammable liquids, matches, cleaning supplies, poisonous materials, medicines, or other hazardous items shall be stored so as to be inaccessible to the children, taking into consideration the age and mental capacities of the children.
   5. (E) Private water supply shall be safe for human consumption and testing may be required at the time of licensing. The cost of testing will be covered by the applicant. If the private water supply is found to be unsafe for human consumption, an alternative source for drinking water shall be made available.
   6. (F) The interior of the home shall be free from an accumulation of visible dirt and any evidence of vermin and rodent infestations.
   7. (G) All rooms shall have proper lighting and ventilation. Windows and doors shall be screened as needed unless the area is air conditioned.
   8. (H) All interior doors shall be designed to permit the opening of a locked door from the outside in an emergency.
   9. (I) The home shall have space for indoor play and access to outdoor play space. The outdoor play space shall be fenced when in the judgment of the division, nearby street traffic, railroad tracks, lake, river, swimming pool, or other potential hazards suggest the necessity for such protections.

   10. (J) Mobile Homes.

       1. 1. There shall be an exit(s) at each

end(s) of the home.

1. 2. The mobile home shall be skirted

with latticed or solid skirting and securely anchored by cable to the ground.

1. (2) Sleeping Arrangements.

   1. (A) Foster children shall not be permitted to sleep in any building, apartment or other structure which is separate from the foster family home; nor shall any foster child be permitted to sleep in an unfinished attic, in an unfinished basement or in a hall or any other room which is normally used for other than sleeping arrangements.
   2. (B) Foster children shall not be permitted to sleep in finished basement bedrooms or in bedrooms above the second floor of a single family dwelling unless suitable provision has been made for heating, ventilation and humidity control and all exits from these bedrooms have been approved by the division.
   3. (C) At night a responsible adult shall sleep within call of the foster children.
   4. (D) Foster children of the opposite sex, who are six (6) years of age or older, shall not sleep in the same room. The best interest of the child in terms of safety and appropriateness must be considered with the age of any child.
   5. (E) Foster children two (2) years of age or older shall not sleep in the bedroom of the foster parents except for special temporary care, such as during a child’s illness. Foster children should never sleep in a bed with foster parents.
   6. (F) Each bed or crib shall be of a size as to insure comfort of the foster child, shall have a firm mattress or an orthopedic supportive surface, in good, clean condition with waterproof covering, if needed, and suitable covers adequate to the season.
   7. (G) Each foster child under age two (2) shall have a separate bed. Each foster child over age two (2) shall have bed space equivalent to one-half (1/2) of a full-size bed. The abuse and neglect history of each child should be taken into consideration before allowing them to share a bed with another child.
   8. (H) Separate and accessible drawer space for personal belongings and closet space for clothing shall be available for each foster child.

2. (3) Fire and Safety Requirements.

   1. (A) All foster homes shall have a working telephone in the home or an agency approved form of emergency contact.
   2. (B) In all foster homes the telephone numbers of the fire department, police, doctor and ambulance shall be posted at all times. The house number shall be plainly visible from the street in case of emergency.
   3. (C) The foster family shall have a plan for evacuation in case of fire. Foster children shall be instructed in the evacuation plan. The plan shall be posted. Fire drills shall be held.
   4. (D) Every room used for sleeping, living or dining purposes shall have at least two (2) means of exit. At least one (1) of which shall be a door or stairway providing a means of unobstructed travel to the outside. An operable window will be considered as one (1) means of exit.
   5. (E) No room or space shall be occupied for living or sleeping purposes which is accessible only by a ladder, folding stairs or through a trap door.
   6. (F) In apartment buildings where the foster family residence is second floor or above there shall be an exit stairway.
   7. (G) An operable smoke detector, with battery installed, shall be installed at a location where sleeping areas can be alerted.
   8. (H) A charged portable ABC fire extinguisher of at least five (5) pound capacity shall be located near the kitchen area.
   9. (I) Heating appliances shall not be located in a place which blocks escape in case of malfunctioning which could result in a fire.
   10. (J) Fireplaces, wood stoves, heaters, radiators or floor furnaces shall be protected as required by the fire inspector.
   11. (K) A carbon monoxide detector shall be required in all homes with gas appliances. 13 CSR 35-60

3. (4) Weapons Requirements.

   1. (A) Any and all firearms and ammunition shall be stored so as to be inaccessible to children. Foster parents shall store ammunition separately from any weapons. Firearms and ammunition shall be stored in locked areas or cabinets with keys secured so as to be inaccessible to children.
   2. (B) No firearms shall be kept in any vehicle transporting (unless weapons are inaccessible to the foster child—i.e., in a locked glove box or other locked container or in the trunk of the vehicle) or on any person providing care or supervision to foster children. (An exception will be made for any person transporting a foster child who must carry a weapon as part of their job responsibilities— i.e., law enforcement officers.) No firearms possessed in violation of a state or federal law or a local government ordinance shall be present at any time in the home, on any household member, or in any vehicle in which the children are riding.
   3. (C) Weapons storage shall be made available for external viewing by Children’s Division staff in order to assure weapons are inaccessible to children.

AUTHORITY: sections 207.020 and 210.506, RSMo 2000.* Original rule filed July 18, 2006, effective Jan. 30, 2007. *Original authority: 207.020, RSMo 1945, amended 1961, 1965, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1993 and 210.506, RSMo 1982, amended 1993, 1995.