(A) In exercising the powers of licensing, approving, renewing, revoking, or making provisional licenses and approvals, the department shall investigate and inspect licensees and approved operators and applicants for a license or an approval. The authorized representative of the department may visit a childcare center, group childcare home, or family childcare home anytime during the hours of operation without prior notice once a year for purposes of investigations and inspections. In conducting investigations and inspections, the department may call on political subdivisions and governmental agencies for appropriate assistance within their authorized fields. The inspection of the health and fire safety of childcare centers and group childcare homes must be completed upon the request of the department by the appropriate agencies (i.e., Department of Health and Environmental Control, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, or local authorities). Inspection reports completed by state agencies and local authorities must be furnished to the department and become a part of its determination of conformity for licensing and approval. After careful consideration of the reports and consultation where necessary, the department shall assume responsibility for the final determination of licensing, approving, renewing, revoking, or making provisional licenses and approvals. However, upon receipt of a regulatory complaint, the department shall conduct an unannounced inspection of the facility to investigate the complaint. If the complaint is written, the department shall provide a copy to the director upon request.
(B) Before issuing a license or approval the department shall conduct an investigation of the applicant and the proposed plan of care for children and for operating a childcare center or a group childcare home. If the results of the investigation satisfy the department that the provisions of this chapter and the applicable regulations promulgated by the department are satisfied, a license or approval must be issued.
HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2; 2014 Act No. 295 (H.4665), Section 2, eff June 23, 2014.
Effect of Amendment
2014 Act No. 295, Section 2, in subsection (A), in the first sentence, substituted "center, group childcare home, or family childcare home anytime during the hours of operation without prior notice once a year" for "center or group childcare home anytime during the hours of operation", and added the last sentence.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 63 - South Carolina Children's Code
Chapter 13 - Childcare Facilities
Section 63-13-20. Definitions.
Section 63-13-30. Caregiver requirements.
Section 63-13-40. Background checks for employment.
Section 63-13-50. Fingerprint exemptions.
Section 63-13-60. Criminal history review fee.
Section 63-13-70. Register required.
Section 63-13-80. Investigations and inspections.
Section 63-13-100. Provisional licensure, approval, and registration.
Section 63-13-110. First aid and CPR certificates.
Section 63-13-120. Training on domestic violence.
Section 63-13-130. Consultation.
Section 63-13-140. Compliance review.
Section 63-13-150. Violation citations.
Section 63-13-160. Injunctions.
Section 63-13-180. Regulations and suggested standards.
Section 63-13-185. Childcare facility medication administration to children.
Section 63-13-190. Fingerprint reviews of Department of Social Services personnel.
Section 63-13-200. Unlawful offenses near childcare facilities.
Section 63-13-210. Notice to parents that childcare business does not carry liability insurance.
Section 63-13-410. Licensure required for private centers and group homes.
Section 63-13-420. Licensure requirements.
Section 63-13-430. License renewal.
Section 63-13-440. Display of license.
Section 63-13-450. Deficiency correction notices.
Section 63-13-460. License denial; nonrenewal; notice; hearings; appeals.
Section 63-13-610. Approval required for public centers and group homes.
Section 63-13-620. Statement of approval requirements.
Section 63-13-630. Approval renewal.
Section 63-13-640. Deficiency correction notices.
Section 63-13-650. Review meeting.
Section 63-13-810. Registration required for family childcare homes.
Section 63-13-820. Registration requirements.
Section 63-13-825. Training for daycare operators and workers.
Section 63-13-830. Statement of registration.
Section 63-13-840. Inspections of family childcare homes.
Section 63-13-860. Consultation.
Section 63-13-1010. Registration required for church and religious centers.
Section 63-13-1020. Registration and inspections.
Section 63-13-1030. Statement of registration.
Section 63-13-1040. Department of Social Services curriculum restrictions.
Section 63-13-1050. Deficiency correction notices.
Section 63-13-1060. Injunctions.
Section 63-13-1080. Penalties.
Section 63-13-1110. Sex offender employment prohibitions.
Section 63-13-1210. State advisory committee established.
Section 63-13-1220. Committee duties.