(A) In exercising the powers of licensing, approving, renewing, revoking, or making provisional licenses and approvals, the department shall investigate and inspect licensees and approved operators and applicants for a license or an approval. The authorized representative of the department may visit a childcare center, group childcare home, or family childcare home anytime during the hours of operation without prior notice once a year for purposes of investigations and inspections. In conducting investigations and inspections, the department may call on political subdivisions and governmental agencies for appropriate assistance within their authorized fields. The inspection of the health and fire safety of childcare centers and group childcare homes must be completed upon the request of the department by the appropriate agencies (i.e., Department of Health and Environmental Control, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, or local authorities). Inspection reports completed by state agencies and local authorities must be furnished to the department and become a part of its determination of conformity for licensing and approval. After careful consideration of the reports and consultation where necessary, the department shall assume responsibility for the final determination of licensing, approving, renewing, revoking, or making provisional licenses and approvals. However, upon receipt of a regulatory complaint, the department shall conduct an unannounced inspection of the facility to investigate the complaint. If the complaint is written, the department shall provide a copy to the director upon request.

(B) Before issuing a license or approval the department shall conduct an investigation of the applicant and the proposed plan of care for children and for operating a childcare center or a group childcare home. If the results of the investigation satisfy the department that the provisions of this chapter and the applicable regulations promulgated by the department are satisfied, a license or approval must be issued.

HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2; 2014 Act No. 295 (H.4665), Section 2, eff June 23, 2014.

Effect of Amendment

2014 Act No. 295, Section 2, in subsection (A), in the first sentence, substituted "center, group childcare home, or family childcare home anytime during the hours of operation without prior notice once a year" for "center or group childcare home anytime during the hours of operation", and added the last sentence.