# Education (GED)

## Title 9.5. Division of Early Childhood Development

### Subtitle 1. Established

#### Section 9.5-118

(a)

  (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

  (2)

    (i) "Applicant" means an individual who is applying for a position involving direct contact with children in a child care facility.

    (ii) "Applicant" includes a volunteer or other individuals who may be subject to federally required background checks.

  (3) "Central Repository" means the Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

  (4) "Child care facility" means a registered family child care home, a registered large family child care home, a licensed child care center, or a child care center that holds a letter of compliance.

(b) An applicant who is seeking a position involving direct contact with children at a child care facility shall submit to a criminal history records check in accordance with Sec. 5-555 of the Family Law Article.

(c)

  (1)

    (i) On or before June 30, 2027, the Department shall establish a centralized unit for the processing and management of information about criminal history records checks for applicants providing child care services.

    (ii) The centralized unit may be staffed by licensing specialists in the regional child care licensing offices throughout the State.

  (2) The centralized unit shall notify an applicant for a criminal history records check:

    (i) Of the status of the application within 10 days after submission; and

    (ii) Subject to the receipt of the criminal history record information from the Central Repository under subsection (d) of this section, within the time frame required under federal law, of the applicant's eligibility to provide child care services in a child care facility.

(d)

  (1) The centralized unit shall review and maintain background checks completed in accordance with Sec. 5-555 of the Family Law Article.

  (2) Information obtained from the Central Repository under this section:

    (i) Is confidential;

    (ii) May not be disseminated without the express permission of the applicant; and

    (iii) May be used only for the purposes authorized by this title.

(e)

  (1)

    (i) The centralized unit may maintain a list of applicants who have submitted a criminal history records check in accordance with this section.

    (ii) The centralized unit may share the name and status of an applicant on the list with:

      (1) A child care facility at which the applicant seeks to be employed or volunteer; and

      (2) The applicant.

  (2) On request by an applicant or a child care facility, the centralized unit may provide written notice to the applicant or the child care facility that an applicant who seeks to be employed by or volunteer with the child care facility has a criminal history records check on file with the Department.

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Md. Code Ann., Educ. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)