Child Care Licensing

Handbook Revision, March 1, 2017

This revision of the Licensing Policy and Procedures Handbook was published on March 1, 2017. Summaries of new or revised items are provided below.

Revisions Related to Changes in Enforcement Policy (PATS 9422)

Revision of section 7000 of the LPPH to implement changes to the Department’s enforcement policy recommended by the Sunset Advisory Commission in August 2014 and required by Senate Bill 206, Sections 81 and 82. Additionally, LPPH 4330-4334 is being moved to 7000 and revised in support of these changes.

Display of Revisions with Changes Highlighted (Word Document)

See:

Definitions of Terms

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3213.1 Governing Body and Licensing Responsibilities

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3521 How to Renew an Initial License

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4128 Other Types of Inspections

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4152.2 When an Operation Repeatedly Fails to Meet Restrictions or Conditions

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4159 Handling Resistance or Refusal to Allow Inspection

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4171 Discussing the Results of an Inspection

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4313 When an Operation Continues to Be Deficient

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4330 The Provider Plan of Action

4331 Developing a Provider Plan of Action

4332 Following Up on the Provider Plan of Action

4333 Determining Completion of the Provider Plan of Action

4334 Documenting the Provider Plan of Action in CLASS

4340 4330 Sending a Warning Letter and Following Up With an Inspection

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4500 Evaluating Risk to Children

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4511 Enforcement Action Options

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5350 Acting on the Results of a Criminal History Check

5351 Determining Appropriate Actions Based on Criminal History

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5454 Documenting the Eligibility of a Controlling Person by Updating the Status in CLASS

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5470 Additional Duties of Inspectors in Relation to Controlling Persons

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6332.5 Operation Refuses to Develop a Safety Plan

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6471 Obstruction by the Operation

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6526.2 Completing Form 2058b When the Finding for a Child’s Death Is Reason to Believe

6526.3 Completing Form 2058c When the Finding for a Child’s Near Fatality Is Reason to Believe

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6542.3 Licensing Responsibilities

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6543 Agencies Responsible for Investigations in CPA and CPS Homes

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6910 Conducting a Case Review Before Recommending an Action

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6940 Actions to Take Following an Investigation of an Unregulated Operation

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7000 Voluntary Actions and Remedial Enforcement Actions

7100 Overview of Voluntary Actions and Remedies Enforcement Actions

7110 Circumstances That May Call for Enforcement Action

7110 7120 Notifying an Operation When Licensing Takes Remedial Enforcement Action

7120 Documenting Voluntary Actions and Remedial Actions in CLASS and IMPACT

7200 Handling Immediate Danger to Children

7210 Immediate Danger in a State-Operated Facility

7300 Voluntary Actions of the Operation

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7331 Requesting Assessing and Granting a Request for Voluntary Suspension

7332 Granting Documenting the Voluntary Suspension

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7350 Operation Plan of Action

7351 Criteria for Recommending a Plan of Action

7352 Staffing and Initiating a Plan of Action

7352.1 If the Operation Agrees to Participate in a Plan of Action

7352.2 If the Operation Does Not Agree to Participate in a Plan of Action

7353 Meeting With an Operation To Review a Plan of Action

7353.1 When Licensing and Operation Agree on a Proposed Plan of Action

7353.2 When Licensing and Operation Cannot Agree on a Proposed Plan of Action

7354 Documenting the Plan of Action in CLASS

7355 Starting a Plan of Action

7356 Inspecting an Operation During a Plan of Action

7357 Ending a Plan of Action

7357.1 Staffing Before a Plan of Action Ends

7357.2 Plan of Action Timeframes and Ending a Plan of Action Early

7357.2 Ending a Plan of Action When Compliance Has Been Established and Maintained

7357.4 Modifying or Ending a Plan of Action When Compliance Has Not Been Established

7400 Evaluation and Probation Corrective Action

7410 Definition of Evaluation and Probation Criteria for Imposing Corrective Action

7411 Definition of Criteria for Imposing Evaluation

7412 Definition of Criteria for Imposing Probation

7420 Evaluation and Probation Decision Guide

7430 Evaluation and Probation Procedures

7431 Initiating an Evaluation or Probation

7420 Staffing a Corrective Action

7421 Documenting the Corrective Action and Creating the Corrective Action Letter in CLASS

7421.1 Considering the Conditions for a Corrective Action

7421.2 Documenting Supervisory Approval of a Corrective Action

7421.3 Creating the Corrective Action Letter

7432 Considering the Conditions and Length of Time for an Evaluation or Probation

7432.1 Determining the Appropriate Conditions for an Evaluation or Probation

7432.2 Determining the Length of Time for Evaluation or Probation

7433 Creating the Corrective Action Letter for an Evaluation or Probation

7422 7434 Meeting With an Operation About a Corrective Action an Evaluation or Probation

7422.1 7434.1 Required Participants When Meeting With an Operation About a Corrective Action an Evaluation or Probation

7422.2 7434.2 Topics Covered When Meeting With an Operation About a Corrective Action an Evaluation or Probation

7422.3 7434.3 Finalizing the Corrective Action Letter Explaining the Corrective Action Plan When Meeting With an Operation

7434.4 Starting a Corrective Action

7422.4 Documenting the Corrective Action Plan Meeting

7423 7435 Requesting or Waiving the Right to an Administrative Review of a Corrective Action an Evaluation or Probation

7435.1 The Applicant’s Right to a Review of Restrictions or Conditions on a Permit

7424 Starting a Corrective Action

7425 7436 Inspecting an Operation During a Corrective Action an Evaluation and Probation

7426 7437 Conducting Surveillance During Corrective Action Evaluation and Probation

7427 Staffings During Corrective Action

7428 Corrective Action Timeframes

7438 Recommending Early Removal From Evaluation or Probation

7429 7439 Ending Corrective Action Evaluation and Probation

7429.1 7439.1 Ending a Corrective Action When Compliance Has Been Established

7429.2 7439.2 Modifying or Ending a Corrective Action When Compliance Has Not Been Established for an Operation on Evaluation

7439.3 When Compliance Has Not Been Established for an Operation on Probation

7439.4 Continuing Evaluation or Probation

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7520 Assessing the Need for an Administrative Penalty

7521 A Single High Risk Violation

7521.1 A Single High Risk Violation of Background Check Requirements

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7561 When Administrative Penalties Remain Unpaid

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7600 Adverse Actions

7610 Defining Adverse Action

7620 Criteria for Taking Adverse Action

7621 Criteria for Imposing a Denial

7621 Circumstances That May Call for Adverse Action

7622 Criteria for Imposing an Adverse Amendment

7623 Criteria for Imposing an Involuntary Suspension

7624 Criteria for Imposing a Revocation

7630 Taking Adverse Action

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7631.21 Requirements if the Action Taken is Denial

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7631.3 Authorizing and Delivering the Intent to Impose Adverse Action Letter

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7633.2 Notifying DFPS and Other State Agencies

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7634 Inspecting During the Suspension, Revocation, or Denial Process

7635 Sending an Operation Final Notice of Suspension, Revocation, or Denial

7635.1 Statements Required in the Notice of Final Adverse Action (CLASS Form 2895)

7635.2 Additional Actions Taken by Licensing Staff When Adverse Action Is Final

7636 Follow-Up to Suspension, Revocation, or Denial

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7637.2 Writing the Letter for Emergency Suspension and Closure

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7637.7 Public Notice

7637.7 7637.8 Update Operating Status

7638 Follow-Up to Emergency Suspension and Closure

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7711 The Right to an Administrative Review

7711.1 When An Operation Is Entitled Operation’s Right to an Administrative Review

7711.2 When An Individual Is Entitled Individual’s Right to an Administrative Review

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7712 Roles for Conducting an Administrative Review

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7715 Conducting an Administrative Review Conference

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7723.1 Additional Information for Permit Holders

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7724 Documenting the Results of the Due Process Hearing

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7732 When an Administrative Law Judge Issues a Final Decision on an Appeal

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7750 Civil and Criminal Penalties

7760 Settlement of Legal Case

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Appendix 7000-1: Assessing the Need for Remedial Actions

Appendix 7000-1: Factors to Consider for Enforcement Actions

Initiation and Interviewing Alleged Victims (PATS 9832)

This revision affects reviewing an alleged victim’s history, initiation methods, and observing and interviewing alleged victims.

Display of Revisions with Changes Highlighted (Word Document)

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6342.3 Reviewing the Alleged Victim’s Investigation History

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6355 Requesting Assistance from CPS Special Investigators (RC Only)

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6411 Consulting With the Supervisor Before Initiating an Investigation Involving Serious Physical or Sexual Abuse

6411 6412 Defining What Constitutes an Initiation

6412 6413 Methods of Initiation

6412.1 6413.4 Initiation of Initiating an Investigation Involving Abuse or Neglect a Child With Serious Injuries

6412.11 Exceptions to Initiating by Contact With Alleged Victim

6413.2 Initiation Methods for Priority 3 Investigations That Require Supervisory Approval

6413.3 Initiation Methods for Priority 1 and Priority 2 Investigations That Require Additional Approval

6412.2 6413.1 Initiation Methods That Do Not Require Supervisory Approval Initiating an Investigation Not Involving Abuse or Neglect

6412.3 6413.5 Initiation of Initiating an Investigation Assigned a Priority 5

6413 6414 Documenting the Initiation

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6421.1 Observing and Interviewing Alleged Victims (Abuse or Neglect Only)

6421.11 Interview Takes Place Before Receipt of Intake Report

6421.12 When to Refer an Interview to a Children’s Advocacy Center