(a) Registry. There shall be created a voluntary registry of day care family homes that are not required by this subchapter to be licensed by the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. The registry shall be maintained by the division.
(b) Procedure for Registration. Day care family homes exempt from licensure may voluntarily register the home with the registry established, operated, and maintained by the division. A person wishing to participate in the voluntary registry shall make an application to the division. Upon receipt of the application, the division shall review the applicant's written application, qualifications, and proposed operation to determine compliance with registry rules. The division shall issue a certificate of registration to the applicant which authorizes the applicant to operate a registered day care family home only upon final determination of an applicant's compliance with the rules established for registration.
(c) Rules.
(1) The division is authorized to establish rules that a day care family home shall meet in order to be registered by the Department of Human Services.
(2) The division shall have the right to enter and inspect a registered day care family home if there is reason to believe that the home is in violation of the registry rules and to ensure compliance with the rules established by the division.
(d) Removal or Denial of Registration. If after review of the submitted application, it is determined that the day care family home is not in compliance with the rules for the registry as established by the division, the division shall immediately deny or remove the home from the registry. Upon removal from the registry, a day care family home may no longer be considered a registered home.
(e) Right to Appeal.
(1) A person whose registration has been denied or who is removed from the voluntary registry due to violation of rules may appeal the action to the department in accordance with Arkansas law and state rules.
(2) The appeal does not stay the denial or removal from the registry.
(f) Renewal of Registration.
(1) The registration of the day care family home shall continue in effect until removed as provided in this subchapter.
(2) The division shall have the right to investigate and inspect the premises when there is reason to believe that violations exist and to make sure that the home is still in compliance with the rules established for the voluntary registry of day care family homes.
(g) Surrender of Registration. At any time, the owner of the registered day care family home may voluntarily surrender his or her certificate of registration. Upon surrender, that home shall be removed from the registry of day care family homes operated by the division.