Section 441.106.4. Protection from mistreatment, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect.

The state of Iowa prohibits child abuse as defined in Iowa Code chapter 232, criminal assault, and other criminal acts of violence. A children’s center shall not use discipline that amounts to child abuse or a criminal act of violence.

       106.4(1) A children’s center shall have written policies that:

        a.           Prohibit mistreatment, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect of children;

        b.           Define types of discipline and the reasons discipline would be used; and

        c.           Specify reporting and enforcement procedures for the children’s center.

       106.4(2) Discipline policies shall be discussed with:

        a.           Staff, volunteers, or others who perform duties under a subcontract with the children’s center; and

        b.           Parents or guardians before children are admitted to the children’s center.

       106.4(3) A children’s center shall not employ or use as a volunteer or subcontractor any person who poses any threat to the children in the center's care.

       106.4(4) A children’s center shall have written policies related to:

        a.           Children’s communication with their parents, guardians, and other outside authorities.

        b.           Children’s ability to receive visitors who have been approved by their parents or guardians.

        c.           Confidentiality and reasonable privacy for children. The children's center shall afford children and their families privacy and confidentiality unless doing so would jeopardize a child's health or safety.

        d.           Children’s ability to keep personal belongings that connect the children to their families and community, such as clothing, pictures, and other items.

        e.           Children’s ability to participate in normal community activities that have been approved by their parents or guardians.

       106.4(5) A children’s center shall not impose unreasonable rules and restrictions that prevent communication and connections with parents, guardians, other family members, or authorities.

       106.4(6) A children’s center shall share its written policies related to communication, visitors, personal belongings, and participation in community activities with a child’s parents or guardians before a child is admitted to the children’s center.

[ARC 8009B, IAB 7/29/09, effective 9/2/09]