PURPOSE: This rule establishes how a facility director may apply for annual fire safety and health and sanitation inspections and how the inspections are conducted.

1. (1) The director of each facility shall apply to the Department of Health for an annual fire safety inspection by the state fire marshal, his/her designee or officials of a local fire district, and for a health and sanitation inspection by the department or officials of a local health department. Religious organization academic preschools are not required to apply for annual fire and safety inspections or the health and sanitation inspections.
2. (2) Facility inspections shall be conducted during normal business hours and may be unannounced. The facility director shall be given a copy of the completed inspection form.
3. (3) The agency, organization or person that owns the facility and the person delegated as director of the facility shall be identified on the application for a fire safety and a health and sanitation inspection. 19 CSR 30-60
4. (4) When a facility is incorporated, the chairperson of the board of directors, or the person delegated as director of the facility, shall sign the application for a fire safety and a health and sanitation inspection.
5. (5) The facility director shall request a child abuse/neglect screening from the Department of Social Services for each employee who may come into contact with children during child care hours. The request shall be made within ten (10) days of employment. The results of the screenings shall be maintained in the facility’s files.
6. (6) If there is a change of ownership of the facility, the new owner(s) or the facility director shall request a fire safety inspection and a health and sanitation inspection.
7. (7) Inspections of child care facilities operated by religious organizations and nursery schools not operated by religious organizations will be phased in over a one (1)-year period following the effective date of this rule. During the phase-in period, necessary action will be taken by the Department of Health in any situations posing a threat of imminent bodily harm to children.

AUTHORITY: sections 210.221.1(3) and 210.252.5, RSMo Supp. 1999.* This rule was previously filed as 19 CSR 40-60.020. Original rule filed Dec. 1, 1994, effective July 30, 1995. Changed to 19 CSR 30-60.020 July 30, 1998. Emergency amendment filed March 1, 2000, effective March 11, 2000, expired Sept. 6, 2000. Amended: Filed March 1, 2000, effective Aug. 30, 2000. *Original authority: 210.221, RSMo 1949, amended 1955, 1987, 1993, 1995, 1999; 210.252, RSMo 1993, amended 1999.