Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-19-.05

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 660-5-19-.05 - Transportation

(1) Transportation Provided by the Facility.

(a) If the facility provides transportation or any activities away from the facility, a written statement, signed by each child's parent(s)/guardian(s), shall be on file in the facility prior to the child's participation in such activities. The statement shall indicate that the parent(s)/guardian(s) has/have been informed that the department of human resources does not inspect activities provided away from the facility and that the facility assumes full responsibility for such activities.

(b) The facility shall be responsible for each child who is using transportation contracted for, arranged by, or provided by the facility. For purposes of these regulations, transportation includes the use of vehicles as well as walking to and from away-from-the-facility activities.

(c) Transportation checklists

1. Checklists shall be used to account for the loading and unloading of each child from the vehicle at every location. Checklists shall also be used to account for each child during activities that include walking to and from the facility.

2. The facility shall designate the staff person responsible for completing the checklist. The designated staff person shall sign (initials are not acceptable) the checklist when it has been completed.

3. The driver of the vehicle shall sign (initials are not acceptable) the completed checklist at each location, indicating he or she has checked each seat in the vehicle at each location to verify that no child is left on the vehicle.

4. Completed checklists shall be kept on file in the facility for the current year plus two additional years.

(d) Supervision of children in facility vehicles.

1. In addition to the driver, staff shall be provided to meet required staff-child ratios for children younger than lawful school age. NOTE: The driver of the vehicle shall not be counted in the required staff-child ratio when children younger than lawful school age are transported.

2. For children of lawful school age and older, fewer than fifteen (15) children may be transported with only the driver of the vehicle, provided the driver meets child care worker qualifications.

3. If fifteen (15) or more children of lawful school age are transported, at least one staff person in addition to the driver shall be required.

4. If thirty (30) or more children of lawful school age are transported, at least two (2) staff persons in addition to the driver shall be required.

5. No child shall be left in a vehicle without adult supervision at any time.

6. The driver shall check each seat of the vehicle at each location to verify that no child is left on the vehicle.

(e) Vehicle safety check

1. A safety check shall be done annually and signed and dated by a mechanic, on all vehicles regularly used by the facility to transport children.

2. A copy of the safety check shall be on file in the facility. The safety check shall show that the following items are operating in a safe condition: brakes; tires; lights (head, signal, brake, tail); windshield wipers; steering; and exhaust system; ventilation and heating system.

3. All vehicles used to transport children shall be operated and maintained in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.

(2) Transportation Provided by Parent(s)/Guardian(s) or Other Designated Person(s)

(a) Each child being transported by parent(s)/ guardian(s) or other designated person(s) shall be accompanied into and out of the facility by the parent, guardian, or other person.

(b) The facility shall require the parent(s)/ guardian(s) or other person(s) designated by the parent(s)/ guardian(s) to sign (signature required, initials not acceptable) each child in/out at each arrival/departure to the facility, indicating the time of arrival/departure. An exception to the written signature will allow the use of the Biometric ID for parent(s)/guardian(s). The Biometric ID System will measure some unique aspect of the individual such as but not limited to fingerprint and/or eyes-iris recognition.

(c) If any child walks to the facility from school or another designated location, or is transported to/from the facility by school bus, facility staff shall sign (signature required, initials not acceptable) each child in upon arrival, indicating time of arrival.

(d) The facility shall require written authorization from a child's parent(s)/guardian(s) to release a child to any person other than the parent(s)/guardian(s) or persons designated on the child's preadmission form.

(e) The facility shall require unfamiliar authorized persons to show photographic identification when releasing a child.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-19-.05

Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVI, Issue No. 06, March 30, 2018, eff. 4/22/2018.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIX, Issue No. 10, July 30, 2021, eff. 9/13/2021.

Authors: Dawn Owens/Tonya Swanner

Statutory Authority: Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 (42 U.S.C.S. §§9857 et seq.).