State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > Utah > Title-26 > Chapter-39 > 26-39-30126-39-301. Duties of the department.
(1) With regard to child care programs licensed under this chapter, the department may:
(a) make and enforce rules to implement this chapter and, as necessary to protectqualifying children's common needs for a safe and healthy environment, to provide for:
(i) adequate facilities and equipment; and
(ii) competent caregivers considering the age of the children and the type of programoffered by the licensee;
(b) make and enforce rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, in thefollowing areas:
(i) requirements for applications, the application process, and compliance with otherapplicable statutes and rules;
(ii) documentation and policies and procedures that providers shall have in place in orderto be licensed, in accordance with Subsection (1)(a);
(iii) categories, classifications, and duration of initial and ongoing licenses;
(iv) changes of ownership or name, changes in licensure status, and changes inoperational status;
(v) license expiration and renewal, contents, and posting requirements;
(vi) procedures for inspections, complaint resolution, disciplinary actions, and otherprocedural measures to encourage and assure compliance with statute and rule; and
(vii) guidelines necessary to assure consistency and appropriateness in the regulation anddiscipline of licensees; and
(c) set and collect licensing and other fees in accordance with Section 26-1-6.
(2) Rules made under this chapter shall be made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
(3) (a) The department may not regulate educational curricula, academic methods, or theeducational philosophy or approach of the provider.
(b) The department shall allow for a broad range of educational training and academicbackground in certification or qualification of child day care directors.
(4) In licensing and regulating child care programs, the department shall reasonablybalance the benefits and burdens of each regulation and, by rule, provide for a range of licensure,depending upon the needs and different levels and types of child care provided.
(5) Notwithstanding the definition of "qualifying child" in Section 26-39-102, thedepartment shall count children through age 12 and children with disabilities through age 18toward the minimum square footage requirement for indoor and outdoor areas, including thechild of:
(a) a licensed residential child care provider; or
(b) an owner or employee of a licensed child care center.
(6) Notwithstanding Subsection (1)(a)(i), the department may not exclude floor spaceused for furniture, fixtures, or equipment from the minimum square footage requirement forindoor and outdoor areas if the furniture, fixture, or equipment is used:
(a) by qualifying children;
(b) for the care of qualifying children; or
(c) to store classroom materials.
(7) (a) A child care center constructed prior to January 1, 2004, and licensed andoperated as a child care center continuously since January 1, 2004, is exempt from the
department's group size restrictions, if the child to caregiver ratios are maintained, and adequatesquare footage is maintained for specific classrooms.
(b) An exemption granted under Subsection (7)(a) is transferrable to subsequent licensedoperators at the center if a licensed child care center is continuously maintained at the center.
(8) The department shall develop, by rule, a five-year phased-in compliance schedule forplayground equipment safety standards.
(9) Nothing in this chapter may be interpreted to grant a municipality or county theauthority to license or certify a child care program.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 111, 2008 General Session
