Section 5103.50. License for private, nonprofit therapeutic wilderness camp

(A) As used in this section and sections 5103.51 to 5103.55 of the Revised Code, "private, nonprofit therapeutic wilderness camp" has the same meaning as in section 5103.02 of the Revised Code.

(B) The director of job and family services shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement standards set forth in division (D) of this section and section 5103.54 of the Revised Code that are substantially similar, as determined by the director, to other similarly situated providers of residential care to children.

(C) The director of job and family services shall issue a license to a private, nonprofit therapeutic wilderness camp that submits an application to the director, on a form prescribed by the director, that indicates to the director's satisfaction that the camp meets the standards set forth in rules adopted under division (B) of this section.

(D) In accordance with rules adopted by the director under division (B) of this section, the camp shall develop and implement written policies that establish all of the following:

(1) Standards for hiring, training, and supervising staff;

(2) Standards for behavioral intervention, including standards prohibiting the use of prone restraint and governing the use of other restraints or isolation;

(3) Standards for recordkeeping, including specifying information that must be included in each child's record, who may access records, confidentiality, maintenance, security, and disposal of records;

(4) A procedure for handling complaints about the camp from the children attending the camp, their families, staff, and the public;

(5) Standards for emergency and disaster preparedness, including procedures for emergency evacuation and standards requiring that a method of emergency communication be accessible at all times;

(6) Standards that ensure the protection of children's civil rights;

(7) Standards for the admission and discharge of children attending the camp, including standards for emergency discharge;

(8) Standards for the supervision of children, including minimum staff to child ratios;

(9) Standards for ensuring proper medical care, including administration of medications;

(10) Standards for proper notification of critical incidents;

(11) Standards regarding the health and safety of residents, including proper health department approvals, fire inspections, and food service licenses;

(12) Standards for ensuring the reporting requirements under section 2151.421 of the Revised Code are met.

(E) The camp shall ensure that no child resides at the camp for more than twelve consecutive months, unless the camp has completed a full evaluation that determines the child is not ready for reunification with the child's family or guardian. Such evaluation shall include any outside professional determined to be necessary by the director of job and family services. This evaluation shall be conducted in accordance with rules adopted by the director.

(F) The camp shall cooperate with any request from the director for an inspection or for access to records or written policies of the camp.

(G) The camps shall ensure that no child is left without supervision of camp staff at any time.

(H) The camp shall ensure that if there is a weather emergency or warning issued by the national weather service in the camp's geographic area, the children will be moved to a safe structure guarded from the weather event.

(I) The camp shall ensure that all sharp tools used in the camp, including axes and knives, are locked unless in use by camp staff or otherwise under camp staff supervision.

Added by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 64, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2015.