63E-7.109. Facility and Food Services

(1) A residential commitment program is subject to the provisions of chapter 64E-26, F.A.C.

(2) A residential commitment program must conduct surveillance, screening and management of specific illnesses or potential infectious conditions, including a comprehensive program of education and prevention regarding blood borne pathogens.

(3) A residential commitment program shall establish and implement cleaning schedules, a pest control system, a garbage removal system, and a facility maintenance system that shall include maintenance schedules and timely repairs based on visual and manual inspections of the facility structure, grounds, and equipment, which shall be conducted bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, yearly, and every three (3) years as prescribed in the Preventive Maintenance Checklist (RS 123, February 2019), which is incorporated by reference and is available at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-10404, or may be obtained by contacting: DJJ, Office of Residential Services, 2737 Centerview Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

(4) The siting of any new facility or structure for a residential commitment program shall be in accordance with applicable statutes and local codes governing new construction, but must include:

(a) Sleeping quarters.

1. 35 square feet of unencumbered space per youth in the sleeping quarters, with at least one dimension of the unencumbered space no less than seven feet.  Unencumbered space is defined as usable space that is not encumbered by furnishings or fixtures;

2. One partition for every four youth in shared sleeping areas; and

3. A bed, a mattress that meets the national fire safety performance requirements, a pillow, a desk, a chair or stool, and personal storage space for every youth.

(b) 35 square feet per youth for dayroom and multi-purpose room activities;

(c) 50 square feet outdoor recreational space per youth;

(d) 56.25 square feet per youth for rooms used for educational purposes, with a classroom size based on a maximum of 16 youth;

(e) Natural and artificial light to accommodate daily activities of the program;

(f) Heating and air conditioning equipment with the capacity to maintain indoor temperatures between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit;

(g) Space to accommodate dining, individual counseling, group meetings and other activities involving youth and staff that are integral to the program design; and

(h) A closed-circuit television system that includes but is not limited to, a color digital recording device. The digital video recorder (DVR) must be capable of a minimum of 30 days recorded event storage within the hard drive, have a minimum setting of eight frames per second, and be capable of remote viewing. Programs with 15 beds or more must have a minimum of 16 camera inputs. All equipment must be surge protected and have a universal surge protector backup and be connected to an emergency power supply.

(5) A residential commitment program shall not make any renovations or modifications to a facility owned by the department, including exterior features such as lighting, fencing and the sally port, without written permission from the department.

(6) A state-operated residential commitment program or a contracted residential commitment program that is classified as not-for-profit shall initiate each newly admitted youth’s eligibility for participation in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program.

(7) A residential commitment program shall use a cycle menu that, is reviewed and approved by a dietitian licensed pursuant to chapter 468, F.S. The program shall provide each youth with at least three nutritionally balanced meals and one nutritional snack per day and shall:

(a) Serve at least two of the meals hot;

(b) Provide youth special diets when prescribed for health reasons or when dictated by religious beliefs; and

(c) Not withhold food as a disciplinary measure.

Rulemaking Authority 985.64, 985.601(3)(a) FS. Law Implemented 985.601(3)(a), 985.03(44), 985.441 FS. History–New 5-30-19.