65C-15.0042. Administrative Actions

(1) The Department is the licensing authority for all child-placing agencies and has final authority for approval, denial, revocation, or suspension of any license under Chapter 120, F.S. (2) Denial of Initial and Renewal Licensure Application. (a) The Regional Licensing Authority shall have 90 days following receipt of a complete application packet to grant or deny the application in accordance with Section 120.60, F.S. (b) If the Regional Licensing Authority determines that the applicant should not be licensed, the applicant shall be notified in writing within 10 business days of the determination, identifying the reasons for the denial, the statutory authority for the denial and the applicant’s right of appeal pursuant to Chapter 120, F.S. (c) The applicant shall be afforded the opportunity to withdraw the application. If the applicant elects to withdraw the application in leu of denial, this must be documented in the licensing file. (3) Administrative Action for Existing Child-Placing Agencies. The Department may consider the following factors when determining whether a child-placing agency’s license will be revoked: (a) Whether the agency has had licensing violations during the term of the license, (b) Whether the agency has a history of intakes, institutional abuse and neglect reports, and special condition referrals. (c) Whether the licensing violations compromise the safety or well-being of children, (d) The agency does not have the ability to protect the children in care. (e) Whether the agency has failed to comply with a corrective action plan during the term of the license; and, (f) Whether the agency has the ability and willingness to implement a corrective action plan.