NOTICE OF
RULEMAKING AND PUBLIC RULE HEARING
The
New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department hereby gives notice as
required under Section 14-4-5.2 NMSA 1978 and 1.24.25.11 NMAC that it proposes to
adopt amendments to the following rules regarding NON-LICENSED CHILD CARE -
REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING REGISTRATION OF NON-LICENSED FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES as
authorized by Section 9-2A-7 NMSA 1978:
8.17.2.7 NMAC - DEFINITIONS
8.17.2.10 NMAC - CAREGIVER REQUIREMENTS
8.17.2.11 NMAC - BACKGROUND CHECKS
8.17.2.24 NMAC - RECORD KEEPING REQUIREMENTS
8.17.2.25 NMAC - CAREGIVER’S RESPONSIBILITIES
No
technical scientific information was consulted in drafting these proposed
rules.
Purpose of proposed rules:
The purpose of the rules is to amend the background check requirements
to add language to incorporate a two-step clearance process for
caregivers. A notice of provisional employment
or background check eligibility will be required prior to commencing employment
and will include a timeline for issuance of the notice. These amendments are to comply with federal
requirements. In addition, language will
be included requiring policies and procedures ensuring that a registered sex
offender does not have access to the home where children are present and
requiring household members reaching the age of 18 to submit their background
check within 30 days after their eighteenth birthday.
Copies
of the proposed rules may be found at CYFD’s website at https://www.newmexicokids.org/
or may be obtained from 1120 Paseo De Peralta, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 30 days
prior to the Public Hearing.
Notice of public rule hearing: The public rule hearing will be held on
Thursday, August 29, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in Apodaca Hall, 1120 Paseo de Peralta,
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502. The public hearing will be conducted in a
fair and equitable manner by a CYFD agency representative or hearing officer
and shall be recorded. Any interested
member of the public may attend the hearing and will be provided a reasonable
opportunity to offer public comment, either orally or in writing, including
presentation of data, views, or arguments, on the proposed rules during the
hearing. Individuals with disabilities
who need any form of auxiliary aid to attend or participate in the public
hearing are asked to contact Debra Gonzales at debra.gonzales@state.nm.us. CYFD will make every effort to accommodate
all reasonable requests, but cannot guarantee accommodation of a request that
is not received at least ten calendar days before the scheduled hearing.
Notice of acceptance of written public
comment: Written public comment, including
presentation of data, views, or arguments about the proposed rules, from any
interested member of the public, may also be submitted via email to
CYFD-ECS-PublicComment@state.nm.us with the subject line “8.17.2 NMAC Public
Comment,” or via first class mail to, or by hand delivery to Kimberly Brown,
Child Care Services Bureau, Children, Youth and Families Department, P.O.
Drawer 5160, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502-5160.
The comment period ends at the conclusion of the public hearing on
August 29, 2019.
AVISO DE PROMULGACION
DE LEYES ADMINISTRATIVAS Y AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA
El Departamento de Niños, Jóvenes y Familias de Nuevo
México por este medio da aviso como se requiere bajo la Sección 14-4-5.2 NMSA 1978 y 1.24.25.11 NMAC propone adoptar enmiendas a las siguientes
reglas leyes administrativas con respecto a CUIDADO DE NIÑOS SIN LICENCIA- REQUISITOS
GOVERNANDO LA REGISTRACIÓN DE CASAS DE CUIDADO DE NIÑOS EN CASAS FAMILIARES SIN
LICENCIA según autorizado por la sección
9-2A-7 NMSA 1978:
8.17.2.7 NMAC - DEFINICIONES
8.17.2.10 NMAC - REQUISITOS PARA PROVEEDORES
8.17.2.11 NMAC - COMPROBACIÓN DE ANTECEDENTES Y HUELLAS
8.17.2.24 NMAC - REQUISITOS PARA MANTENER ARCHIVOS
8.17.2.25 NMAC - RESPONSABILIDADES DE LOS PROVEEDORES
No se consultó información científica o técnica cuando
se redactaron las propuestas leyes
administrativas.
Propósito de las propuestas leyes administrativas: El propósito de las leyes administrativas es enmendar
los requisitos para comprobación de antecedentes y huellas añadiendo lenguaje para
incorporar un proceso de dos pasos de autorización para proveedores. Un aviso de empleo provisional (o comprobación de antecedentes y huellas elegibles -
aprobada) será requerido antes de empezar empleo e incluirá un
cronograma cuando el aviso será emitido.
Estas enmiendas tienen que estar conformes con los requerimientos
federales. Adicionalmente, lenguaje será
incluido requiriendo pólizas y procesos que aseguren que un delincuente sexual
registrado no tenga acceso a una casa donde niños estén presentes y requiriendo
que miembros del hogar a punto de cumplir los 18 años de edad tienen que
proporcionar su comprobación de antecedentes y huellas dentro de 30 días
de haber cumplido su decimoctavo cumpleaños.
Copias de las propuestas leyes administrativas pueden
ser localizadas en el sitio de la red de CYFD @https://www.newmexicokids.org/ o se pueden obtener en: 1120 Paseo De Peralta, Santa Fe, New
México, 30 días antes de la Audiencia Pública.
Aviso de Audiencia Pública de leyes administrativas: La audiencia pública de leyes administrativas será el
jueves, 29 de agosto, 2019 a las 10:00 a.m. en 1120 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe,
Nuevo México 87502, en la sala Apodaca Hall.
La audiencia pública se llevará a cabo de manera justa y equitativa por
un representante de la agencia de CYFD o el funcionario de audiencias y será
grabada. Cualquier miembro del público
interesado en asistir la audiencia
tendrá una oportunidad razonable para ofrecer comentarios al público, oralmente
o por escrito, incluso una presentación de datos, puntos de vista s o
argumentos, sobre las propuestas.
Personas con discapacidades que necesiten cualquier forma de asistencia
auxiliar para asistir o participar en la audiencia pública deben comunicarse
con Debra Gonzales, debra.gonzales@state.nm.us.
CYFD hará todos los esfuerzos posibles para acomodar todas solicitudes
razonables, pero no puede garantizar acomodar solicitudes que no sean recibas
por lo menos diez días antes de la fecha programada para la audiencia.
Aviso de aceptación de comentario público por escrito: Comentarios
públicos por escritos, incluso presentaciones de datos, puntos de vista o
argumentos de cualquier miembro del público interesado, sobre las propuestas
leyes administrativas, pueden ser enviados a través de correo electrónico
a: CYFD-ECS-PublicComment@state.nm.us, especificando en la línea de Asunto:
“8.17.2 NMAC Public Comment,”
o por correo de primera clase a Child Care Services Bureau, Children, Youth and Families Department, P.O. Drawer 5160, Santa Fe, New Mexico
87502-5160, o se pueden entregar en mano a:
Kimberly Brown. El período de
comentarios termina a la conclusión de la audiencia pública del 29 de Agosto de
2019.
Proposed Rules/Reglas Propuestas
8.17.2.7 DEFINITIONS:
***
P. “Notice of Provisional Employment”
means a written notice issued to a child care center or home applicant
indicating the BCU reviewed the applicant’s fingerprint based federal or New
Mexico criminal record and made a determination that the applicant may begin
employment under direct physical supervision until receiving background
eligibility. A notice may also indicate
the applicant must receive a complete background
eligibility prior to beginning employment.
[P.] Q. “Notifiable
diseases” means confirmed or suspected diseases/conditions as identified by
the New Mexico department of health which require immediate reporting to the
office of epidemiology which include but are not limited to: measles,
pertussis, food borne illness, hepatitis and acquired immune deficiency
syndrome.
[Q.] R. “Primary
caregiver” means a registered child care home caregiver 18 years of age or
older who is personally providing care to children, less than 24 hours a day,
in his/her own residence and has completed the registration process, paid the
required fee and has no other employment during hours of care. The primary caregiver must reside in the
home.
[R.] S. “Registered
authority” means the child care services bureau - registration section of
the early childhood services division of the New Mexico children, youth and
families department.
[S.] T. “Registered
family child care home” means the residence of an independent primary
caregiver who registers the home under these regulations to participate in the
child and adult care food program or in the state and federal child care
assistance programs.
[T.] U. “Registered
family child care food-only home” means the residence of an independent
primary caregiver who registers the home under these regulation to participate
in the child and adult care food program only and does not participate in the
state and federal child care assistance program.
[U.] V. “Resident
child” means any child who resides in the home, such as the primary
caregiver’s own children by birth or adoption, foster children, grandchildren,
or cohabitant's children who are part of the residential unit.
[V.] W. “Serious
injury” means the death of a child or accident, illness, or injury that
requires treatment by a medical professional or hospitalization.
[W.] X. “Substitute
caregiver” means someone 18 years of age or older who is authorized by the
primary caregiver and the registered authority to provide care in the absence
of the primary caregiver and is required to complete all the items required of
primary caregivers, including background check clearance in accordance with the
most current provisions of 8.8.3 NMAC governing background checks and
employment history verification provisions.
[X.] Y. “Substantiated”
means an incident or complaint determined to be factual,
based on an investigation of events.
[Y.] Z. “Supervision”
means the direct observation and guidance of children at all times and requires
being physically present with them.
[Z.] AA. “Survey”
means a representative of CYFD’s authority to enter a home,
observes activity, examine the records and premises, interviews parents and
records deficiencies.
[AA.] BB.
“Unattended” means a caregiver is not physically present with a child or
children under care.
[BB.] CC. “Unsubstantiated” means an
incident or complaint not determined to be factual based on an investigation of
events.
8.17.2.10 CAREGIVER REQUIREMENTS:
***
C. Primary and
substitute caregivers must comply with background check requirements in
accordance with the most current provisions of 8.8.3 NMAC governing background
checks and employment history verification provisions. A request for a background check must be
submitted prior to a substitute caregiver employment. A substitute caregiver must receive a notice
of provisional employment prior to beginning employment or obtain a background
check in accordance with 8.8.3 NMAC.
***
8.17.2.11 BACKGROUND
CHECKS:
***
B. The primary
caregiver will be responsible for obtaining background checks on all adults
residing in the home using the requirements outlined in the department’s most
current version of the background checks and employment history verification
provisions (8.8.3 NMAC). A household
member [over] reaching the age of 18, [who is currently
approved but does not have an individual background check clearance, shall
comply with the background check requirements no later than one year after
these regulations are in effect.] must submit their background check in
accordance with the most current provisions of 8.8.3 NMAC within 30 days after
their eighteenth birthday. However,
in the case of a registered family child care food-only home, all household
members are only required to undergo a criminal history and child abuse and
neglect screening.
***
8.17.2.24 RECORD KEEPING REQUIREMENTS: Caregivers must keep
an information card for each child (including drop-in children) with:
A. the
child's full name;
B. the
child's birth date;
C. any
known food or drug allergies or unusual physical condition;
D. the
name, telephone number, and location of a parent or other responsible adult to
be contacted in any emergency;
E. the
name and telephone number of the child's physician;
F. authorization
from a parent or guardian for the caregiver to seek professional medical care
in an emergency;
G. written
permission from a parent or guardian for the caregiver to administer medication
prescribed by a physician or requested by the parent;
H. an immunization record showing current, age-appropriate
immunizations for each child or a written waiver for immunizations granted by
the department of health. A grace period
of a maximum of 30 days will be granted for children in foster care or homeless
children and youth; [and]
I. written
permission from parent to transport children outside of the registered home [.] ; and
J. signed
acknowledgement by the parent acknowledging that a check through the New Mexico
Department of Public Safety Sex Offender Registry and the United States
Department of Justice Sex Offender Registry will be conducted by the caregiver
on all persons authorized to pick up the child(ren) to include parents and guardians.
8.17.2.25 CAREGIVER’S
RESPONSIBILITIES:
***
E. Policies and
procedures ensuring that a registered sex offender does not have access to the
home where children are present. The
caregiver is responsible for conducting a check through the New Mexico
Department of Public Safety Sex Offender Registry and the United States
Department of Justice Sex Offender Registry on persons authorized to pick up
the child(ren), to include
parents and guardians, and keep this documentation in the child’s file.
[E.] F. Each home must offer children activities and experiences that are
developmentally appropriate, allow children choices, and promote positive
social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth and well-being. Caregivers
will schedule activities in these areas.
A caregiver will schedule routine activities such as meals, snacks, rest
periods, and outdoor play to provide structure to the children's daily
routine. Other activities should be
flexible based on changes in the children's interests. A caregiver will also provide a variety of
indoor and outdoor equipment to meet the children's developmental interests and
needs. Equipment will encourage large
and fine muscle activity, solitary and group play and active and quiet
play. Television, videotapes and video
games should be limited to two hours a day and should be age-appropriate.
[F.] G. Caregivers of infants will allow them to
crawl or toddle. Infants shall either be
held or be fed sitting up for bottle-feeding. Infants unable to sit shall
always be held for bottle-feeding.
Infants and toddlers shall not be placed in a laying position while
drinking bottles or sippy cups. The
carrying of bottles and sippy cups by young children throughout the day or
night shall not be permitted. Caregivers
will allow infants to eat and sleep on their own schedules.
[G.] H. Caregivers will ensure age appropriate naps
or rest periods as follows:
(1) A
home shall allow children who do not sleep to get up and participate in quiet
activities that do not disturb the other children.
(2) Caregivers
shall ensure that nothing covers the face or head of a child age 12 months or
younger when the child is laid down to sleep and while the child is sleeping.
(3) Caregivers
shall not place anything over the head or face of a child over 12 months of age
when the child is laid down to sleep and while the child is sleeping.
(4) No
child(ren) shall be allowed
to sleep behind closed doors.
[H.] I. Swimming, wading and water:
(1) A
caregiver must obtain written permission from a parent or guardian before a
child enters a pool;
(2) If
a home has a portable wading pool:
(a) a home will drain and fill the wading pool with fresh water
daily and disinfect the pool regularly;
(b) a home will empty a wading pool when it is not in use and
remove it from areas accessible to children; and
(c) a home will not use a portable wading pool placed on
concrete or asphalt.
(3) If
a home has a built in or above ground swimming pool, ditch, fish
pond or other water hazard:
(a) the fixture will be constructed, maintained and used in
accordance with applicable state and local regulations;
(b) the fixture will be constructed and protected so that, when
not in use, it is inaccessible to children; and
(c) when in use, children will be constantly supervised and
ensure adequate safety for the ages, abilities and type of water hazard in use.