Page 71

(9) If a facility is found to be in operation after the Department has denied the application for the registration and the administrative appeal/review procedure has been completed, the Department shall notify the Department’s Office of General Counsel. C. Provisions of the registration (1) A regular registration issued by the Department to the child care center shall be valid for two years from date of issuance, unless suspended by the Department or voluntarily surrendered by the director; provided however, that a change in location, ownership or sponsorship of the facility shall automatically void the registration. (2) A provisional registration issued by the Department to a child care center shall be issued for a period within which the deficiencies shall be corrected, and within the conditions permitted by statute. (3) A provisional registration shall be amended from a provisional to a regular registration when all deficiencies have been verified as corrected. (4) An application for a registration may be denied or suspended by the Department if the director, any staff member, volunteer(s) or emergency person(s) has been determined to have abused or neglected any child as defined in Section 20-7-490B, S.C. Code of Laws, 1976 as amended. D. Inspection and consultation (1) Department staff may visit and inspect a child care center operated by religious bodies at anytime during the hours of operation without prior notice to verify regulatory compliance with staff:child ratios. (2) Department staff may also visit the facility under the following conditions: (a) The facility requests in writing that a Department representative visit to discuss problems related to the applicable regulations or other matters of concern; (b) The facility has not applied for registration to the Department as mandated by law; or (c) There has been a report of child abuse or child neglect involving the facility. (3) Upon receipt of a regulatory complaint on staff:child ratios, the Department shall conduct an unannounced inspection of the center to investigate the complaint. If the complaint is written, the Department shall provide a copy to the director upon request. (4) Fire and health officials may visit the facility under the following conditions: (a) When there is a complaint against the facility citing health and fire regulations violations that threaten serious harm to the children; (b) When inspections have been requested by Department staff for registration; or (c) When verification is needed that deficiencies cited by fire and/or health officials have been corrected. E. Reasons for registration denial, suspension or non-renewal (1) A registration may be denied, withdrawn or not renewed by the Department if the owner, director or staff member has been determined to have abused or neglected any child as defined in Section 20-7-490B, S.C. Code of Laws, 1976 as amended. (2) A registration may be denied, withdrawn, or non-renewed by the Department if cited deficiencies threaten serious harm to the health and/or safety of the children. F. Reporting of changes affecting registration (1) The director shall immediately report to the Department when an occurrence takes place that may affect the status of the registration including the following: (a) Change in director, ownership, or sponsorship; (b) Change in center location; and (c) Major renovations or alterations to the building. G. Registration renewal (1) One hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the expiration date of the current registration, Department staff shall notify the director in writing of the time and requirements for renewal and shall request health and fire inspections.