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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" citation="COMAR 14.31.06.08" title_num="14" subtitle_num="31" chapter_num="06" heading="Emergencies and General Safety.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Emergencies.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The licensee shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Hold emergency drills:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>At least monthly;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>On each shift, at least quarterly;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>At unexpected times and under varying conditions; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Maintain documentation of drills for 3 years;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Post adjacent to all telephones a list of emergency telephone numbers for:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Ambulance;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Fire;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Police;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Poison control; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Program administrator;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Post accessible copies of the evacuation procedure in conspicuous places on each floor of the physical plant; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Keep exits free of obstruction or impediments to immediate use.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The licensee shall develop an emergency plan for foreseeable emergencies and disasters that shall include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Procedures that will be followed before, during, and after an emergency to address the following:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Ensuring that documentation regarding children and staff contains current health, contact persons, and other important information that is immediately accessible in the event of an evacuation;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Establishing a communication protocol among all appropriate parties that includes redundant communication means; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>The notification to parent or legal guardian, licensing agency, and placing agency regarding the action that will be taken concerning the safety and well-being of the children served;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The evacuation, transportation, and 72-hour shelter-in-place of children and staff served;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The staff coverage, organization, and assignment of responsibilities that include:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Staff coverage needs for ongoing shelter-in-place or evacuations;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Identification of staff members available to report for or remain at work for extended periods; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Establishment of staff notification and recall contingency plans and procedures;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The continuity of services, including:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Operations, planning, and financial and logistical arrangements;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Procurement of essential goods, equipment, and services to sustain operations for at least 72 hours;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Relocation to alternate facilities or other locations; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Reasonable efforts to continue care;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Provisions to ensure that the facility’s emergency and disaster plans are shared with local emergency management organizations;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>An executive summary of the evacuation procedures that shall be provided, on request, to the family member of a child; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Provisions to ensure that all staff and volunteers are aware of the procedures required by this chapter and that all staff and volunteers implement each procedure as adopted.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>General Safety. The licensee shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Maintain a written active safety plan;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Document accidents;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Maintain first-aid kits appropriate in size and content to the nature of the program;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Prohibit firearms and chemical weapons on the grounds of or within the physical plant;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Maintain poisonous, toxic, or flammable materials in accordance with appropriate health code standards;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Except under the supervision of staff for use during celebrations, prohibit the use of candles;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Maintain in safe and good repair power-driven equipment;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Ensure that power-driven equipment is used by children only under the direct supervision of an employee and in accordance with State law; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Ensure that, if animals are kept on the grounds or in the facility:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The animals are, consistent with the local ordinance or State law:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Licensed or registered;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Vaccinated; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Leashed when outdoors;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Children are, when age appropriate, educated regarding the care and grooming of the animal;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Children allergic to the animal are not placed with the licensee;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>A responsible adult is always present when an animal is near an infant; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>An animal suspected of becoming dangerous is removed from the grounds and facility.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Toys and Equipment. The licensee shall ensure that all toys and equipment used by children are:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Sturdy;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Of safe construction;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Nontoxic;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If used by children younger than 3 years old, large enough so they cannot be swallowed by a child;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Clean; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>In compliance with the standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Transportation. A licensee shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Supply transportation necessary to implement the children's individual service plans, including:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The provision of any necessary specialized transportation to accommodate a child who uses medical equipment; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The capacity to transport children in case of an emergency;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Enhance the safety of children during transportation by ensuring:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The development and enforcement of appropriate written safety rules for transporting children;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Proper registration and maintenance in a safe condition and in conformity with all applicable laws any motor vehicle used for the transportation of children;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Retention of maintenance and repair records on all licensee-owned or leased motor vehicles used for the transportation of the children;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The availability of a first-aid kit in all vehicles used to transport children; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Compliance with federal and State laws on child restraint;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Ensure that an individual who operates a licensee-owned or leased motor vehicle to transport the children is properly licensed to operate that class of vehicle;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Ensure that the number of individuals in a motor vehicle used to transport the children does not exceed the vehicle's industry-rated capacity;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Assure that any motor vehicle, whether owned by the licensee or a licensee's employee, which is used to transport children is properly insured for that purpose;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Meet any special medical needs that a child may have during transportation, including:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Advising the motor vehicle's operator if a child's health needs may cause difficulties during transportation, such as seizures, tendency towards motion sickness, or a disability; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>For non-ambulatory children in all motor vehicles except automobiles:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Using a ramp device or a hydraulic lift, if a ramp device is also available in case of emergency, to permit entry and exit of the children; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Securing wheelchairs to the floor and arranging them with adequate aisle space and access to the exit door; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Curtail the use of 15-passenger vans for the transportation of children as follows:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Licensee may not acquire or otherwise put into service a 15-passenger van for the transportation of children; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>After January 1, 2006, a licensee may not transport children for any purpose in a 15-passenger van.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, and Spas.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If an in-ground swimming pool is located on the grounds of a licensee:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The pool shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>If a child younger than 8 years old is placed with the licensee, the pool area shall be completely enclosed by a fence that is:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>At least 4 feet high; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Constructed of wood, concrete, brick, or chain metal; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>When the pool is not in use:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The pool area shall be protected from access by a locked gate; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The pool shall be completely covered in a manner to prevent access by a child.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The licensee shall ensure that an above-ground swimming pool located on the licensee's grounds:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Is maintained in a safe and sanitary condition;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Is 4 feet above ground at all points; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>When not in use, has:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>A secured cover which prevents access by children, or retractable or removable ladders locked or stored away from the pool;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Locked doors and gates that access the pool; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>No climbable objects on the pool's exterior.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The licensee shall allow children to swim:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Only in approved areas; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Under the supervision of sufficient individuals who:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Are trained in first aid, water safety, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Have current senior lifesaving certificates from the American Red Cross or its equivalent.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Hot tubs and spas are prohibited on the grounds of a licensee's facility.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Any applicable State, federal, or local requirement shall control in the event of any conflict by any requirement in this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>