(A)

(1) A county director of job and family services may certify in-home aides to provide publicly funded child care pursuant to this chapter and any rules adopted under it. Any in-home aide who receives a certificate pursuant to this section to provide publicly funded child care is an independent contractor and is not an employee of the county department of job and family services that issues the certificate.

(2) Every person desiring to receive certification as an in-home aide shall apply for certification to a county director of job and family services on such forms as the director of job and family services prescribes. A county director shall provide at no charge to each applicant a copy of rules for certifying in-home aides adopted pursuant to this chapter.

(B) To be eligible for certification as an in-home aide, a person shall not be either of the following:

(1) The owner of a center or home whose license was revoked pursuant to section 5104.04 of the Revised Code within the previous five years;

(2) An in-home aide whose certificate was revoked under division (C)(2) of this section within the previous five years.

(C)

(1) If the county director of job and family services determines that the applicant complies with this chapter and any rules adopted under it, the county director shall certify the person as an in-home aide and issue the person a certificate to provide publicly funded child care for twenty-four months. The county director shall furnish a copy of the certificate to the parent, custodian, or guardian. The certificate shall state the name and address of the in-home aide, the expiration date of the certification, and the name and telephone number of the county director who issued the certificate.

(2) The county director may revoke the certificate in either of the following circumstances:

(a) The county director determines, pursuant to rules adopted under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, that revocation is necessary;

(b) The in-home aide does not comply with division (C)(2) of section 5104.32 of the Revised Code.

(D)

(1) The county director of job and family services shall inspect every home of a child who is receiving publicly funded child care in the child's own home while the in-home aide is providing the services. Inspections may be unannounced. Upon receipt of a complaint, the county director shall investigate the in-home aide, shall investigate the home of a child who is receiving publicly funded child care in the child's own home, and division (D)(2) of this section applies regarding the complaint. The caretaker parent shall permit the county director to inspect any part of the child's home. The county director shall prepare a written inspection report and furnish one copy each to the in-home aide and the caretaker parent within a reasonable time after the inspection.

(2) Upon receipt of a complaint as described in division (D)(1) of this section, in addition to the investigations that are required under that division, both of the following apply:

(a) If the complaint alleges that a child suffered physical harm while receiving publicly funded child care in the child's own home from an in-home aide or that the noncompliance with law or act alleged in the complaint involved, resulted in, or poses a substantial risk of physical harm to a child receiving publicly funded child care in the child's own home from an in-home aide, the county director shall inspect the home of the child.

(b) If division (D)(2)(a) of this section does not apply regarding the complaint, the county director may inspect the home of the child.

(3) Division (D)(2) of this section does not limit, restrict, or negate any duty of the county director to inspect a home of a child who is receiving publicly funded child care from an in-home aide that otherwise is imposed under this section, or any authority of the county director to inspect such a home that otherwise is granted under this section when the county director believes the inspection is necessary and it is permitted under the grant.

Amended by 133rd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 166, §101.01, eff. 10/17/2019.

Amended by 130th General Assembly File No. 25, HB 59, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2013.

Effective Date: 07-01-2000; 05-18-2005