ORS 418.240
Licensing, certification and authorization criteria

  • duration
  • fees
  • rules

(1)

All child-caring agencies shall obtain from the Department of Human Services a license, certificate or other authorization to provide care or services to children under ORS 418.205 (Definitions for ORS 418.205 to 418.327, 418.330, 418.470, 418.475, 418.950 to 418.970 and 418.992 to 418.998) to 418.327 (Licensing of private residential boarding schools), 418.470 (Authority to pay for shelter-care homes), 418.475 (Independent residence facilities) or 418.950 (Definitions for ORS 418.950 to 418.970) to 418.970 (ORS 418.950 to 418.970 inapplicable to existing facilities). The criteria for issuance, renewal, suspension or revocation of, or for placing conditions on, a license, certificate or authorization under this section must:

(a)

Be set forth in rules adopted by the department;

(b)

Include the full compliance requirements set forth in subsection (2) of this section; and

(c)

Include, but are not limited to, the following:

(A)

The fitness of the child-caring agency.

(B)

The employment of capable, trained or experienced staff that meet minimum staffing requirements.

(C)

Sufficient financial backing to ensure effective operations.

(D)

The probability of permanence in the child-caring agency.

(E)

The care and services provided to the children served will be in their best interests and that of society.

(F)

That the child-caring agency is or will be in compliance with the standards of care and treatment established in rules adopted by the department.

(2)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

The department may not issue or renew a license, certificate or other authorization to a child-caring agency unless the department finds the agency is or will be in full compliance with all of the following:

(A)

The agency ensures child and family rights.

(B)

The agency complies with abuse reporting and investigation requirements.

(C)

The agency engages in and applies appropriate behavior management techniques.

(D)

The agency provides adequate furnishings and personal items for children.

(E)

The agency provides appropriate food services.

(F)

The agency ensures the safety of children.

(G)

The agency utilizes approved procedures and protocols for use of medications for children receiving care or services from the agency.

(H)

The agency or the agency’s employees or agents have not engaged in financial mismanagement.

(I)

The agency fully and timely corrects violations and maintains standards in accordance with any plan of correction imposed by the department.

(J)

The agency provides access as required under ORS 418.305 (Access to child receiving care or services) to a child or the agency’s premises to the department or the department’s employees, investigators, court appointed special advocates, attorneys for a child or other authorized persons or entities.

(b)

The department may suspend, revoke or place conditions on a license, certificate or authorization of a child-caring agency if the department finds the agency is not in full compliance with any one or more of the full compliance requirements listed in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

(c)

The department must take immediate steps to suspend or revoke the license, certificate or other authorization of a child-caring agency, if any of the following are found to exist:

(A)

There has been the death of a child as a result of abuse or neglect on the part of the agency or any of the agency’s employees or agents.

(B)

There has been sexual or physical abuse or neglect of a child in the agency’s care or custody that was known to the agency and the agency did not take immediate steps to report the abuse or neglect and to ensure the child’s safety.

(C)

The agency failed to cooperate fully with any local, state or federal regulatory entity’s investigation of the agency or the agency’s operations or employees.

(D)

The agency failed to provide financial statements as required under ORS 418.255 (Inspection and supervision).

(d)

If any of the circumstances described in paragraph (c) of this subsection exists, the department may immediately place conditions on the license, certificate or authorization of the child-caring agency prior to a hearing if, consistent with ORS 183.430 (Hearing on refusal to renew license), the department finds there is a serious danger to the public health or safety and sets forth specific reasons for such findings.

(e)

It is grounds to deny issuance or renewal, suspend, revoke or place conditions on a license, certificate or other authorization if the department becomes aware that a child-caring agency, or the owner or operator of the agency, has been found by other state or federal entities to have engaged in financial, civil or criminal misconduct.

(3)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

If the Director of Human Services has taken action under subsection (2)(c) of this section to suspend or revoke a license, certificate or other authorization, the notice of intent to suspend or revoke may be rescinded if the director determines that the concerns regarding the health and safety of the children in the child-caring agency’s care or custody have been ameliorated and any conditions placed on the license, certificate or other authorization of the child-caring agency have been resolved.

(b)

Fourteen days before rescinding a notice of intent to suspend or revoke, the Director of Human Services must provide written notice regarding the intent to rescind to the Governor. The notice of intent to rescind is a public record and open for inspection by any person without order of a court. The notice of intent to rescind must include the following information:

(A)

The circumstances that led to the notice of intent to suspend or revoke;

(B)

The actions taken by the child-caring agency, the Department of Human Services, the Attorney General, the Oregon Youth Authority and the Oregon Health Authority in response to the circumstances leading to the notice of intent to suspend or revoke;

(C)

Any penalties, fees or charges made or levied against the child-caring agency; and

(D)

A complete description of changes that were made at the child-caring agency and the reasons for the determination that the concerns regarding the health and safety of children in the child-caring agency’s care or custody have been ameliorated or that any conditions placed on the license, certificate or other authorization of the child-caring agency have been resolved.

(c)

In making a decision to rescind a notice of intent to suspend or revoke under this subsection, the decision must be based solely on the health and safety of the children served by the child-caring agency. Systemwide capacity of the child welfare system may not be considered as an element of the decision.

(d)

For three years after a notice of intent to suspend or revoke is rescinded under this subsection, the child-caring agency must apply for a renewal of the child-caring agency’s license, certificate or other authorization on an annual basis.

(e)

The department must provide the following with copies of a notice of intent to rescind within five business days of issuing the notice:

(A)

The Governor; and

(B)

The committees of the Legislative Assembly relating to child welfare.

(4)

The department may immediately place conditions on any license, certificate or authorization issued under this section, including but not limited to placing full or partial restrictions on admission of children, temporary suspension, limitation of operations subject to an intent to revoke and limitation of operations subject to correction of violations as specified in a plan of correction imposed by the department. The department shall immediately notify any state or governmental agency or unit that has a contract with the child-caring agency to provide care or services to a child, and the governing board, trustees, owners, managers, operators or other appropriate authorities responsible for the child-caring agency, of conditions placed by the department on the child-caring agency’s license, certificate or authorization under this section.

(5)

If applicable, an applicant shall submit written proof of compliance with the notification requirements in ORS 336.575 (Notice and consultation before establishing, expanding or changing residential program).

(6)

The department may not charge a fee for inspections leading to decisions regarding, and issuance of, licenses, certifications or authorizations under this section, but may impose fees to cover costs of related inspections done for the department by other governmental agencies.

(7)

Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, a license, certificate or authorization issued by the department under this section shall be valid for a period of two years, unless suspended or revoked sooner by the department. However, the department at any time may require amendments to an existing license, certificate or authorization to accommodate changes in the factors upon which the issuance was based.

(8)

When a condition exists that seriously endangers or places at risk the health, safety or welfare of a child who is receiving care or services at a child-caring agency:

(a)

The director shall issue an interim emergency order without notice, or with reasonable notice under the circumstances, requiring the agency to correct the conditions and ensure the safety of children in the care of the agency. The interim emergency order shall remain in force until a final order, after a hearing, has been entered in accordance with ORS chapter 183.

(b)

The director may commence an action to enjoin operation of a child-caring agency:

(A)

If the agency is being operated without a valid license, certificate or other authorization issued under this section; or

(B)

If the agency fails to comply with a plan of correction imposed by the department or to correct conditions not in conformity with standards as set out in an order issued under paragraph (a) of this subsection, within the time specified in the order.

(9)

If the director, the director’s designee or the department becomes aware through any means that a child-caring agency, or an owner, operator or employee of a child-caring agency, is the subject of an investigation by another state agency, law enforcement agency or federal agency, the director or director’s designee shall take immediate steps to cause an investigation to take place into the circumstances surrounding the investigation and whether there is a threat to a child, or whether a child is at risk, at the child-caring agency. Upon determination of the level of threat or risk to children at the agency, the director shall take appropriate steps to protect and ensure the health, safety and welfare of children as necessary under the circumstances. Failure to comply with the requirements of this subsection constitutes grounds for a charge of official misconduct in the second degree under ORS 162.405 (Official misconduct in the second degree).

(10)

If the Department of Justice or Bureau of Labor and Industries commences an investigation of a child-caring agency or an owner, operator or employee of a child-caring agency, the Department of Justice or Bureau of Labor and Industries shall notify, inform and regularly update the director, the director’s designee or such other personnel in the Department of Human Services designated to receive such information regarding the investigation. The director and the department shall immediately undertake the responsive action required by subsection (9) of this section upon receiving such notification. Interference with, discouragement of or impediment to the receipt of the notification, information and updates required under this subsection constitutes official misconduct in the second degree under ORS 162.405 (Official misconduct in the second degree).

(11)

The Department of Human Services shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. [Formerly 419.116; 1971 c.401 §17; 1983 c.510 §7; 1985 c.264 §2; 1987 c.94 §132; 2016 c.106 §4; 2017 c.138 §§1,2]

Source: Section 418.240 — Licensing, certification and authorization criteria; duration; fees; rules, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors418.­html.

418.001
Definition for ORS 418.005 to 418.030
418.005
Powers of department in connection with child welfare services
418.010
Children not to be taken charge of when parents object
418.015
Custody and care of needy children by department
418.016
Criminal records checks required for caregivers of children and for other persons in household
418.017
Parent allowed to anonymously leave child at authorized facility
418.018
Department required to inform public about ORS 418.017 and affirmative defense
418.020
Unexpended balances of budgeted county funds may be expended as aid for children
418.025
Prevention, reduction or control of juvenile delinquency by county programs and activities
418.027
Agreements for custody, care or treatment
418.030
Services to prevent, control and treat juvenile delinquency
418.032
Department subrogated to right of support for certain children in department custody
418.033
Release of records to citizen review board
418.034
Department responsible for costs of medical care of certain children in detention or lockup facilities
418.036
Child welfare report
418.039
Policy on prohibited disqualifications of child welfare services providers
418.041
Governor’s Child Foster Care Advisory Commission
418.043
Membership of commission
418.044
Functions and duties of commission
418.046
Advisory or technical committees
418.189
Policy on child abuse and neglect
418.194
Scheduling visitation around school attendance
418.200
Definitions
418.201
Legislative intent
418.202
Oregon Foster Children’s Bill of Rights
418.203
Prohibitions on discipline or retaliation for speaking about services received
418.205
Definitions for ORS 418.205 to 418.327, 418.330, 418.470, 418.475, 418.950 to 418.970 and 418.992 to 418.998
418.210
Application of ORS 418.205 to 418.327
418.215
Child-caring agency to be licensed, certified or authorized
418.240
Licensing, certification and authorization criteria
418.246
Bond for outdoor youth program licensure
418.248
Certification of proctor foster homes
418.250
Supervision of child-caring agencies
418.255
Inspection and supervision
418.256
Interference with disclosure of information
418.257
Definitions for ORS 418.257 to 418.259
418.258
Report of suspected abuse
418.259
Investigation of suspected abuse
418.260
Investigation of abuses, deficiencies, violations or failures to comply in child-caring agencies
418.262
Minimum staffing required for licensing, inspection and investigation
418.263
Child-Caring Agencies Account
418.265
Reports
418.270
Surrender of child to child-caring agency
418.275
Child-caring agency as guardian of child
418.280
Placement of children
418.285
Authority of department same as child-caring agency under ORS 418.270 to 418.280
418.290
Child placement by nonresident
418.295
Certain attorneys not to represent prospective adoptive parents
418.300
When child placement by private persons prohibited
418.302
Administrative review required for certain children in voluntary placement
418.305
Access to child receiving care or services
418.306
Denial of visitation by child-caring agency as disciplinary measure prohibited
418.307
Medical or dental treatment of children without consent
418.310
Application of statutes to institutions caring for adults and children
418.312
When transfer of custody not required
418.315
Department may provide foster care for children surrendered or committed to department
418.318
Authority to pay for qualified residential treatment programs
418.319
Goal regarding placed children receiving federal assistance
418.321
Out-of-state child-caring agency
418.322
Placement in congregate care residential setting
418.323
Qualified residential treatment program
418.324
Independent assessment
418.325
Medical examinations required
418.327
Licensing of private residential boarding schools
418.330
Payments to adoptive parents or guardians
418.335
Determination of eligibility for payments
418.340
Rules
418.345
Adoption Applicable Child Savings Fund
418.351
Definitions for 418.351 to 418.357
418.353
Residential care referrals
418.357
Residential care referral agents
418.359
Referrals to secure transportation services providers
418.470
Authority to pay for shelter-care homes
418.472
Siting of shelter-care home
418.475
Independent residence facilities
418.480
“Purchase of care” defined
418.485
Policy
418.490
Coordination of state activities
418.495
Authority to purchase care
418.500
Out-of-state care for children
418.517
Procedures for use of psychotropic medications for children in foster care
418.519
Definitions for ORS 418.519 to 418.532
418.521
Prohibitions on restraint and involuntary seclusion of children in care
418.523
Permissible use of restraint or involuntary seclusion of child in care
418.526
Program procedures
418.528
Quarterly reports
418.529
Training standards and certification
418.532
Notices to children in care
418.575
Definitions for ORS 418.575 to 418.598
418.578
Legislative findings
418.580
Strengthening, Preserving and Reunifying Families programs
418.585
Strengthening, Preserving and Reunifying Families Program Fund
418.590
Waiver of federal requirements
418.595
Placement and referral to program to be considered in reasonable or active efforts determination
418.598
Rules
418.606
Definitions
418.607
Legislative intent
418.608
Oregon Foster Children’s Sibling Bill of Rights
418.609
Applicability of Indian Child Welfare Act
418.625
Definitions for ORS 418.625 to 418.645
418.627
Placement consistent with the Indian Child Welfare Act
418.630
Foster home must be certified as approved
418.635
Certificate of approval
418.640
Supervision of foster homes
418.642
Confidentiality of information about person who maintains foster home
418.643
Denial of visitation by foster home as disciplinary measure prohibited
418.644
Interference with disclosure of information
418.645
Appeal from decision of department
418.647
Foster care payments
418.648
Rights of foster parents
418.650
Policy
418.653
Oregon Youth Corps
418.657
Duties of program director
418.658
Oregon Community Stewardship Corps
418.660
Projects
418.663
Employment goals
418.675
Powers and duties of trustees of A. R. Burbank Trust Fund
418.680
Annual report of trustees
418.685
Certain agencies declared to be orphans’ homes
418.691
Definitions for ORS 418.691 to 418.701
418.696
Youth sports providers encouraged to perform certain activities related to qualifications of coaches or supervisors
418.699
Additional duties or liabilities not imposed on youth sports providers
418.701
Youth sports providers authorized to request criminal background checks from Department of State Police
418.702
Training and continuing education for mandatory reporters
418.706
State Technical Assistance Team for child fatalities
418.708
Child’s savings account
418.712
Definitions for ORS 418.714 and 418.718
418.714
Domestic violence fatality review teams
418.718
Statewide team
418.726
Youth Suicide Intervention and Prevention Advisory Committee
418.731
Youth Suicide Intervention and Prevention Coordinator
418.733
Updates to Youth Suicide Intervention and Prevention Plan
418.735
Plan for communication among local mental health authorities regarding certain suicides
418.746
Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Intervention Account
418.747
County teams for investigation
418.748
Statewide team on child abuse and suicide
418.751
Training and education for persons investigating child abuse
418.780
Purpose
418.782
Definitions for ORS 418.746 to 418.796
418.783
Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Intervention Program
418.784
Advisory Council on Child Abuse Assessment
418.785
Child fatality review teams
418.786
Grant program
418.788
Grant application
418.790
Application contents for regional centers
418.792
Application contents for children’s advocacy center
418.793
Report to Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Intervention Program
418.794
Confidentiality of video recordings
418.795
Confidentiality of information and records
418.796
Authority of council to solicit and accept contributions
418.800
Review of certain cases by county child abuse multidisciplinary team
418.804
Short title
418.806
Policy
418.808
Critical incident
418.811
Team assignment and membership
418.813
Report
418.816
Critical Incident Review Team website
418.925
“Refugee child” defined
418.927
When refugee child may be removed from home
418.930
Petition to juvenile court required upon removal of refugee child
418.933
Judicial determination on removal required
418.935
Petition by relative of refugee child
418.937
Placement decision
418.939
Record for refugee child
418.941
Refugee Child Welfare Advisory Committee
418.943
Annual report
418.945
Rules
418.950
Definitions for ORS 418.950 to 418.970
418.955
Policy
418.960
City and county siting of child-caring facilities
418.965
Approval or denial of applications
418.970
ORS 418.950 to 418.970 inapplicable to existing facilities
418.976
Definitions for ORS 418.976 to 418.981
418.978
System of Care Advisory Council
418.979
Purpose
418.981
Children’s System Data Dashboard
418.983
System of Care Account
418.984
Interdisciplinary assessment teams
418.990
Criminal penalties
418.991
Penalty for interference with disclosure of information
418.992
Civil penalty
418.993
Procedure
418.994
Schedule of penalties
418.995
Factors considered in imposing penalty
418.997
Judicial review
418.998
Disposition of penalties
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