2023 California Code
Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC
DIVISION 4.5 - SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED
CHAPTER 6 - Development and Support of Community Facilities and Programs
ARTICLE 3.5 - Adult Residential Facilities for Persons with Special Health Care Needs and Group Homes for Children with Special Health Care Needs
Section 4684.53.
4684.53. (a) The State Department of Developmental Services and the State Department of Social Services shall jointly implement a licensing program to provide special health care and intensive support services to adults, and a licensing program to provide special health care and intensive support services to children, in homelike community settings.
(b) The programs shall be implemented through approved community placement plans, as follows:
(1) For an adult who is identified by a regional center as an adult who could benefit from placement in an ARFPSHN.
(2) For a child who is identified by a regional center as a child who could benefit from placement in a GHCSHN.
(c) (1) Each ARFPSHN shall possess a community care facility license issued pursuant to Article 9 (commencing with Section 1567.50) of Chapter 3 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code. Until the Department of Social Services creates a stand-alone chapter for ARFPSHNs, each ARFPSHN shall be subject to the requirements of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 80000) of Division 6 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, except for Article 8 (commencing with Section 80090).
(2) Each GHCSHN shall possess a community care facility license issued pursuant to Article 9 (commencing with Section 1567.50) of Chapter 3 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, and shall be subject to the requirements of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 80000) and Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 84000) of Division 6 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, except that Article 8 (commencing with Section 80090) of Chapter 1 of Division 6 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations shall not apply.
(d) For purposes of this article, a health facility licensed pursuant to subdivision (e) or (h) of Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code may place its licensed bed capacity in voluntary suspension for the purpose of licensing the facility to operate an ARFPSHN or a GHCSHN if the facility is selected to participate pursuant to Section 4684.58. Consistent with subdivision (a) of Section 4684.50, any facility licensed pursuant to this section shall serve up to five adults or up to five children. A facility’s bed capacity shall not be placed in voluntary suspension until all consumers residing in the facility under the license to be suspended have been relocated. A consumer shall not be relocated unless it is reflected in the consumer’s individual program plan developed pursuant to Sections 4646 and 4646.5.
(e) Each ARFPSHN and each GHCSHN are subject to the requirements of Subchapters 5 to 9, inclusive, of Chapter 1 of, and Subchapters 2 and 4 of Chapter 3 of, Division 2 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations.
(f) Each ARFPSHN and each GHCSHN shall ensure that an operable automatic fire sprinkler system is installed and maintained.
(g) Each ARFPSHN and each GHCSHN shall have an operable automatic fire sprinkler system that is approved by the State Fire Marshal and that meets the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13D standard for the installation of sprinkler systems in single- and two-family dwellings and manufactured homes. A local jurisdiction shall not require a sprinkler system exceeding this standard by amending the standard or by applying standards other than NFPA 13D. A public water agency shall not interpret this section as changing the status of a facility from a residence entitled to residential water rates, nor shall a new meter or larger connection pipe be required of the facility.
(h) Each ARFPSHN and each GHCSHN shall provide an alternative power source to operate all functions of the facility for a minimum of six hours in the event the primary power source is interrupted. The alternative power source shall comply with the manufacturer’s recommendations for installation and operation. The alternative power source shall be maintained in safe operating condition, and shall be tested every 14 days, or as per the manufacturer’s recommended schedule, under the full load condition for a minimum of 10 minutes. Written records of inspection, performance, exercising period, and repair of the alternative power source shall be regularly maintained on the premises and available for inspection by the State Department of Developmental Services.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 76, Sec. 35. (AB 136) Effective July 16, 2021.)
