Chapter 2010-161, Laws of Florida, signed into law by the Governor on June 1 and effective July 1, 2010, eliminated the Department of Health’s regulatory authority over food hygiene and sanitation in licensed child caring agencies otherwise ...

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
Family Safety and Preservation Program

Rule No.: RULE TITLE
65C-14.010: General Sanitation and Safety
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Chapter 2010-161, Laws of Florida, signed into law by the Governor on June 1 and effective July 1, 2010, eliminated the Department of Health’s regulatory authority over food hygiene and sanitation in licensed child caring agencies otherwise regulated by the Department of Children and Families under Section 409.175, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 65C-14, Florida Administrative Code. The effect of Chapter 2010-161, Laws of Florida, is that there are currently no administrative rules providing minimum standards for certain food storage, preparation, and service and other sanitation activities in licensed child caring agencies. This has created an immediate serious threat to the health and safety of children served in these facilities. This situation makes it necessary for the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to add language to Chapter 65C-14, Florida Administrative Code, to provide standards to be used by the Department of Heath (DOH) when inspecting child-caring agencies on behalf of the Department pursuant to Section 409.175(6)(e), Florida Statutes. This emergency rule will provide the regulatory basis for continued inspections of food hygiene and sanitation to ensure client safety in licensed child caring agencies pending the Department’s adoption of permanent rules.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Standards for the measurement of safety and sanitation issues in child-caring agencies.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 409.175 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 409.175 FS.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Stacey Cleveland, Statewide Licensing Specialist, 1317 Winewood Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, phone: [phone]; Email: [e-mail]

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE FROM THE CONTACT PERSON LISTED ABOVE.