Chapter 3.72 — CHILDREN'S HOMES

Any person who, without having first obtained a written permit to do so from the Department of Social Services, establishes, maintains, conducts or manages any institution, boarding house, home or other

place for the reception or care of children, or who keeps at any such place any child under the age of 16 years, not his relative, apprentice or ward, without legal commitment, or neglects, refuses or omits to comply with the provisions of such permit, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Prior code § 3395; Ord. 446, 02/08/37; Ord. 3113, 06/16/87)

The Department of Social Services shall have power to issue permits for such places, and every such permit shall specify the name and residence of the person so undertaking the care of such children and the location of the place where the same are kept and the number of children thereby allowed to be received, boarded or kept therein, and shall be revocable for cause by the said Department of Social Services in any case where the provisions of this chapter are violated, or in any case where in the opinion of the Department of Social Services, such institution, home, boarding house or other place is being managed, conducted or maintained without regard for the health, comfort or morality of the inmates thereof, or without due regard to proper sanitation or hygiene.

(Prior code § 3396; Ord. 446, 02/08/37; Ord. 3113, 06/16/87)

Every person holding such permit must keep a register, wherein he shall enter the names and ages of all such children and the names and reception and discharge of such children and the reasons therefor, and, also the name and age of every child who is given out, adopted, taken away or indentured from such place to or by any person, together with the name and residence of the person so adopting, taking away or indenturing such child, and within forty-eight hours after such child is so given out, taken away or indentured shall cause a correct copy of the register to be sent to the said Department of Social Services.

(Prior code § 3397; Ord. 446, 02/08/37; Ord. 3113, 06/16/87)

It shall be lawful for the officers and representatives of the said Department of Social Services, at all reasonable times, to enter and inspect the premises wherein such children are so boarded, received and kept, and to call for and inspect the permit and register, and also to see and visit such children.

(Prior code § 3398; Ord. 446, 02/08/37; Ord. 3113, 06/16/87)