Residential child care facility - notice - policy - definitions

(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "Child" has the same meaning as set forth in section 19-1-103. (b) "Youth" has the same meaning as set forth in section 19-1-103. (2) (a) On or before July 1, 2026, each residential child care facility in the state shall develop an efficient, well-structured, and trauma-informed policy that outlines how the residential child care facility responds to a child or youth who threatens or attempts to run away from care. The policy must include whether the residential child care facility uses physical restraints. The policy must include any other information the state department adopts by rule pursuant to subsection (2)(c) of this section. (b) Each residential child care facility shall provide a copy of the policy to the child or youth and the child's or youth's parent, legal guardian, or custodian during the child's or youth's intake at the residential child care facility. (c) The state department shall adopt rules regarding additional information for the policy described in subsection (2)(a) of this section. In developing the rules, the state department shall consult: (I) The office of the child protection ombudsman; (II) A director of a residential child care facility; (III) A parent or family member of a child or youth who has run away from a residential child care facility; (IV) A young adult who resided at a residential child care facility within the last seven years; and (V) County departments. (3) When a residential child care facility discovers that a child or youth is missing from its care, the residential child care facility shall notify the child's or youth's parent, legal guardian, or custodian and guardian ad litem or counsel for youth within four hours after the discovery of the missing child or youth. If the residential child care facility cannot make initial contact with the child's or youth's parent, legal guardian, or custodian, the residential child care facility must make repeated efforts to notify the child's or youth's parent, legal guardian, or custodian.