ARM 37.106.3215. PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

(1) Each facility must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, laws, and building codes. (2) Adequate space must be provided for all phases of daily living, including recreation, privacy, group activities, and visits from family, friends, and community acquaintances. (3) Residents must have indoor areas of at least 40 square feet of floor space per resident for quiet, reading, study, relaxing, and recreation. The minimum space requirement may not include halls, kitchens, and any rooms not used by residents. (4) A bedroom must contain at least 50 square feet of floor space per person. Bedrooms for single occupancy must have at least 80 square feet. (5) The maximum number of residents per bedroom must not exceed four. The bedrooms must have floor-to-ceiling walls. (6) Residents sharing a bedroom must be no more than three years in age apart. (7) The facility must provide: (a) at least one toilet for every eight residents; and (b) one bathing facility for every eight residents. (8) All rooms with toilets or shower and bathing facilities must have an operable window to the outside or must be exhausted to the outside by a mechanical ventilation system. (9) Each resident must have access to a bathroom without entering another bedroom, the kitchen, or dining areas. (10) Hot and cold water must be available in all kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry. The temperature of hot water supplied to hand washing and bathing facilities must not exceed 120°F. (11) For adequate housekeeping the facility must ensure that: (a) the building and grounds are free, to the extent possible, of harborage for insects, rodents, and other vermin; (b) all electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, heating, and sewage disposal systems must be kept in operational condition; (c) the floors, walls, ceilings, furnishings, and other equipment are clean and in good repair, free of hazards and offensive odors; (d) cleaning equipment and supplies are provided in sufficient quantity to meet the housekeeping needs of the facility; and (e) a maintenance policy and schedule, which describes the regular maintenance of the facility, is adhered to. (12) All rooms and hallways must have adequate lighting. (13) Facilities must post a sign within the facility that is accessible to all residents and to the public. The sign must provide information on what agency should be contacted to report a violation of law or policy and must include contact information for the Office of Inspector General Licensure Bureau, the Montana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline (866-820-5437), and local law enforcement. (14) With respect to any conditions in existence in licensed facilities prior to July 1, 2025, the specific requirements in this rule may be modified by the department to allow alternative arrangements that will provide the same level of safety to residents and staff. In no case will the modification afford less safety than that which, on the discretion of the department, would be provided by compliance with the corresponding requirement in this rule.