Rule 9.16. Bedroom Requirements

1. Occupancy.

a. The facility must have no more than four (4) children in each bedroom (Traditional Group Homes and Intake and Assessment Centers only). The facility must have no more than two (2) children per room that are emotionally challenged or have a behavioral disorder.

b. The facility must provide separate sleeping rooms for boys and girls.

c. The facility must not permit non-ambulatory children to sleep above the first floor. Non-ambulatory includes children too young to walk and children lacking the mobility necessary to ascend or descend floors in an emergency or natural disaster.

2. Room Size. All bedrooms must be seventy-four (74) square feet for the initial occupant and an additional fifty (50) square feet for each additional occupant with ceiling heights of at least seven and a half (7 ½) feet.

3. Room Features.

a. All bedrooms must have a direct source of natural light, i.e., a window, as well as a working light fixture in each room. Lamps may not be the sole source of light.

b. Each child must have their own individual closet, locker, or bureau to store clothing and personal belongings. If the closet, locker, or bureau can be locked, a duplicate key or copy of combination must be in the possession of the staff.

c. Children must have the opportunity to personalize their bedrooms with furnishings and possessions to reflect their tastes and interests.

4. Beds.

a. Clean sheets, pillowcases, pillows and blankets must be provided to each child. Sheets and pillowcases must be changed at least once a week unless greater frequency is necessary.

b. The facility must provide each child with an adequate, meaning safe and comfortable bed. Under no circumstances are air mattresses, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, pallets, hammocks, sleeper sofas, convertible beds, or cots considered adequate beds.

c. If bunk beds are used, they must have safety rails and sufficient room to allow the occupants of both bunks to sit up in bed. Only children ages seven (7) and above may sleep in the top bunk in a foster home. Bunks may only consist of two beds.

Source: Miss. Code Ann. §§ 43-15-105, -107