Section 403.10  Health and Safety

a)         Each child shall be examined by a physician within 30 days before placement in a group home unless the placement is an emergency.  In an emergency placement the physical examination shall be scheduled within 5 days after placement and completed within 15 days after placement.  In all cases each child shall be screened for communicable diseases within 72 hours.

b)         Each child shall be examined annually or more frequently if findings and medical opinion indicate need.  Diagnosed medical problems shall be treated promptly.

c)         Each child shall be given a dental examination at least annually. Diagnosed dental defects shall be treated promptly.

d)         Immunizations and tests, unless exempt on religious grounds, shall be administered as required by the Illinois Department of Public Health regulations or as recommended by a physician.

e)         In case of sickness or accident, immediate medical care shall be secured for the child in accordance with the supervising child welfare agency's directions.

f)         Any child who is ill or suspected of having a contagious disease should be separated from other children until a medical determination has been received that the disease is not contagious or is no longer contagious.

g)         The group home shall keep the supervising child welfare agency informed of any of the child's health problems including the problems of alcoholism and drug abuse.

h)         The group home shall conduct and record fire and evacuation training at least once every 3 months and consult with local fire authorities regarding fire safety practices.

i)          Household pets shall be inoculated as required by state and local regulations.

j)          No firearms or ammunition shall be allowed in the group home.

k)         The group home may not use or have on the premises, on or after July 1, 2000, any unsafe children's product as described in the Children's Product Safety Act and 89 Ill. Adm. Code 386 (Children's Product Safety).

l)          No person shall smoke tobacco in a group home, in an open or enclosed motor vehicle while transporting a child, or within 15 feet of entrances, exits, windows that open, and ventilation intakes that serve the group home.  (See 410 ILCS 82/15.)

m)        The group home shall ensure that all persons providing transportation services comply with the driver licensing, Rules of the Road, financial responsibility, vehicle equipment and vehicle inspection provisions of the Illinois Vehicle Code [625 ILCS 5].  Persons with special driving permits are not considered to have a valid driver's license.

1)         The group home shall require that all prospective drivers submit a written response to the following questions, which shall be put in the driver's personnel file. No person answering "yes" to any of these questions shall be permitted to transport children.

A)        Has your driver's license been revoked or suspended within the past 3 years for driving under the influence, manslaughter or reckless homicide?

B)        Have you been convicted of driving under the influence, manslaughter or reckless homicide in the past 3 years?

C)        Have you caused an accident that resulted in the death of any person within the past 5 years? (See 225 ILCS 10/5.1(a).)

2)         A child care facility driver application and a copy of the current medical form shall be submitted to the Department for any individual who transports children regularly on behalf of a group home.

3)         Age-appropriate safety restraints that are federally approved and labeled as approved shall be used at all times when transporting children in vehicles having a gross weight of less than 10,000 pounds, except that individual safety restraints shall not be required when children ride as passengers in taxicabs or common carriers or public utilities.  No more than one child may be in each seat belt.

4)         The group home shall adopt emergency procedures to be followed in the event of an accident, serious illness, or severe weather.  Copies of these procedures and other pertinent information shall be provided to all persons driving on behalf of the group home and shall remain in the possession of the driver while en route.

(Source:  Amended at 34 Ill. Reg. 6054, effective May 1, 2010)