Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases

Section 8 - Missouri Laws Related to Child Care/Schools

Missouri Laws Related to Child Care Settings and Schools

According to Section 210.221(3), RSMo, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has the authority to issue uniform rules deemed necessary and proper to establish standards of service and care to be rendered by child care providers. To implement these rules, the Office of Childhood (OOC), within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, is responsible for inspecting, evaluating and licensing child care providers. Each regulated provider has the contact information for their Compliance Inspector from the OOC posted near their license in their facility. The OOC can be reached at 573- 751-2450.

Child Care providers and facilities are required to have copies of the licensing rules available, and to be knowledgeable of these rules.

Rules for regulated child care programs can be found at:

Group Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers 5 CSR 25-500.192

This rule sets forth the requirements for Child Care Centers and Group Homes for reporting communicable diseases, immunizations, caring for a child when ill, medication, emergency care and hand washing.

Family Child Care Homes 5 CSR 25-400.185

This rule outlines the requirements for reporting communicable diseases, caring for a child when ill, medication, emergency care, immunizations and hand washing.

License-Exempt Child Care Facilities 5 CSR 25-300.050

This rule establishes health requirements for child care providers and children in license-exempt child care facilities. It includes the requirements for reporting communicable disease, immunizations, caring for a child when ill, medications, and emergency medical care.

In addition to inspections by Compliance Inspectors from the OOC, licensed and license-exempt child care facilities also receive annual sanitation inspections. These are requested by OOC, and are conducted by the Bureau of Environmental Health Services, who can be reached at 573-751-6095. This department is also available to child care providers for consultation in the event of an outbreak of a communicable disease.

Missouri Statutes and Rules Related to Communicable Disease Control

167.181 RSMo - Immunization of pupils against certain diseases compulsory
167.191 RSMo - Children with contagious diseases not to attend school
192.020 RSMo - To safeguard the health of the people of Missouri
192.067 RSMo - Patients' medical records
19 CSR 20-20.020 - Diseases and Conditions Reportable in Missouri
19 CSR 20-20.030 - Exclusion From School and Readmission
19 CSR 20-20.040 - Measures for the Control of Communicable, Environmental and Occupational Diseases
19 CSR 20-20.060 - Control Measures for Food Handlers
19 CSR 20-20.070 - Duties of Local Health Departments
19 CSR 20-20.075 - Confidentiality of Information Obtained for Reporting of Communicable, Environmental and Occupational Diseases and Conditions
19 CSR 20-28.010 - Missouri Immunization Requirements for School Children
19 CSR 20-28.040 - Day Care Immunization Rule
210.003 RSMo – Immunizations of Children Required

Communicable Disease Rule

Many diseases must be reported to the local health department and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department. For a list of reportable diseases see this document.