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Utah Administrative Code (Current through November 1, 2019) |
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R512. Human Services, Child and Family Services |
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R512-310. Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard |
| R512-310-1. Purpose and Authority |
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Latest version.
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(1) The purpose of this rule is to establish standards for normalcy for a child who is in Child and Family Services custody, including a reasonable and prudent parent standard and normalizing activities for children. (2) This rule is authorized by Sections 62A-4a-102, 62A-4a-105, 62A-4a-210, 62A-4a-211, and 62A-4a-212. |
| R512-310-2. Definitions |
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Latest version.
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As used in this part: (1) "Activity" is defined in Section 62A-4a-210. (2) "Age-appropriate" is defined in Section 62A-4a-210. (3) "Caregiver" is defined in Section 62A-4a-210. (4) "Child and Family Services" means the Division of Child and Family Services. (5) "Out-of-home placement" is defined in Section 62A-4a-210. (6) "Reasonable and prudent parent standard" is defined in Section 62A-4a-210. |
| R512-310-3. Highlights |
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Latest version.
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(1) A child who comes into care under this chapter is entitled to participate in age-appropriate activities for the child's emotional well-being and development of valuable life-coping skills. (2) Child and Family Services shall make efforts to normalize the lives of children in the custody of Child and Family Services and to empower a caregiver to approve or disapprove a child's participation in activities based on the caregiver's own assessment using a reasonable and prudent parent standard, without prior approval of Child and Family Services. (3) Child and Family Services shall allow a caregiver to make important decisions, similar to the decisions that a parent is entitled to make, regarding the child's participation in activities. (4) Child and Family Services will verify that private agencies providing out-of-home placement under contract with Child and Family Services promote and protect the ability of a child to participate in age-appropriate activities. (5) A caregiver is not liable for harm caused to a child in an out-of-home placement if the child participates in an activity approved by the caregiver, provided that the caregiver has acted in accordance with a reasonable and prudent parent standard. (6) Child and Family Services will provide training to caregivers and providers regarding how to use and apply the reasonable and prudent parent standard. |
| R512-310-4. Requirements for Decision Making |
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Latest version.
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(1) A caregiver shall use a reasonable and prudent parent standard in determining whether to permit a child to participate in an activity. (2) A caregiver shall consider: (a) The child's age, maturity, and developmental level to maintain the overall health and safety of the child; (b) Potential risk factors and the appropriateness of the activity; (c) The best interest of the child based on the caregiver's knowledge of the child; (d) The importance of encouraging the child's emotional and developmental growth; (e) The importance of providing the child with the most family-like living experience possible; and (f) The behavioral history of the child and the child's ability to safely participate in the proposed activity. (3) Child and Family Team Meetings may be convened at any point to discuss whether the caregiver has used the reasonable and prudent parent standard to determine what activities a child may participate in or if the child feels they are being denied the ability to participate in a normalizing activity. |
| R512-310-5. Participation in Activities |
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Latest version.
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(1) Caregivers shall ensure that the child has the safety equipment and any necessary permissions and training necessary to safely engage in each activity the child participates in, including but not limited to the following activities: (a) Boating; (b) Rock climbing; (c) Recreational vehicle use; (d) Sports; (e) Camping. |
| R512-310-6. Group Home or Residential Setting Activities |
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Latest version.
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(1) When children are placed in a group home or residential treatment setting, the provider will incorporate normalcy activities into the program. The activities will be in-line with the reasonable and prudent parent standard and will help children with skills essential for positive development. (2) The provider will also have the presence on-site of at least one official who, with respect to any child placed with the provider, will be the designated caregiver who is authorized to apply the reasonable and prudent parenting standard to decisions involving the participation of the child in age or developmentally-appropriate activities. |