Section 3700.62. Foster parent requirements

(a) Foster parents shall be at least 21 years of age.

(b) Foster parents shall pass an initial medical appraisal by a licensed physician prior to being approved. The appraisal must establish that the foster parents are physically able to care for children and are free from communicable disease. Further medical examinations may be required by the agency if the agency has reason to believe that additional medical appraisal is appropriate.

(c) Effective January 1, 1986, foster family care agencies shall require prospective foster parents to comply with section 23.1 of the Child Protective Services Law (11 P. S. § 2223.1) and Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services).

The provisions of this § 3700.62 amended January 23, 1987, effective January 24, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 392. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (98000) to (98001).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 3700.62 amended under Articles II, VII, IX and X of the Public Welfare Code (62 P. S. § § 201—211, 701—774, 901—922 and 1001—1080).

Notes of Decisions

Foster Parent Requirements

Evidence that foster parents had placed pepper on the tongue of a foster child who refused to eat; tied a child to a bed; locked a child in a bedroom and strapped a child to a car seat located inside the home was sufficient to demonstrate that more than physical passive restraint was imposed, which was conduct prohibited by the regulations. Martz v. Department of Public Welfare, 536 A.2d 496 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1988).

The Department regulations addressing the inspection and approval of the home custodian reach concerns ranging from the assurances that the drinking water is potable, § 3700.67(h) (relating to safety requirements), and that the intended custodian is physically able to care for the child, § 3700.63 (relating to foster parent discipline policy), to the assurance that the custodian is apprised of the approved policy with regard to the discipline of the child, § 3700.63. In re. Lowry, 484 A.2d 383 (Pa. 1984).

Cross References

This section cited in 55 Pa. Code § 3700.69 (relating to annual reevaluation); and 55 Pa. Code § 3700.70 (relating to temporary and provisional approvals of foster families).