<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="5-505.2" title_number="5" title_name="Children" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Child Care; Foster Care">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In this section, “new luggage” means a suitcase, duffel bag, backpack, or similar container that:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>is designed to hold an individual’s personal belongings; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>has not been previously used.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“New luggage” does not include a disposable bag or trash bag.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The Department shall:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>establish and maintain a decentralized supply of new luggage to be used to transport the personal belongings of a child in foster care; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>develop procedures for the storage and distribution of new luggage intended for children in foster care.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Subject to paragraphs (2) through (4) of this subsection, the Department shall provide new luggage to a child in foster care who is:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>entering foster care;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>moving from one foster care placement to another; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>exiting foster care.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>New luggage provided to a child under this subsection:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>is the property of the child; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>may not be reclaimed by the Department or retained by the child’s foster parent.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The Department is not required to provide additional new luggage under this subsection to a child who:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>is changing placement; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>is in possession of new luggage previously provided by the Department.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>When providing new luggage to a child in foster care, the Department shall take into account the child’s:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>age;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>mobility;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>personal items to be transported; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>preferences.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Department may not use disposable bags or trash bags to transport any items of a child in foster care.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The Department shall maintain a record of each instance in which a disposable bag or trash bag is used to move the personal belongings of a child in foster care.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The record required under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall include the reason the Department did not provide the child with new luggage to move the child’s personal belongings.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>The Department may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations of any kind and from any source to carry out the provisions of this section.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>On or before December 1 each year, the Department shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the following information:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>the number of instances in which a disposable bag or trash bag was used to transport the personal belongings of a child in foster care and the reason the Department failed to provide the child in foster care with new luggage; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>the Department’s supply inventory and inventory management procedures for the new luggage supply maintained under subsection (b) of this section.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
