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<section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="5-505" 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 the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Beaded chain” means a series of small spheres, equally spaced on a cord or connected by metal shafts used to raise and lower a window covering.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>“Cord loop” means a curving or doubling of a beaded chain or cord to form a closed loop.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>“Cordless window covering” means:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>a horizontal blind or cellular shade that has no draw cord and the internal lift cord runs in the slats of the horizontal blind so that the cord is incapable of forming a loop greater than 7.25 inches;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>a Roman shade, roll–up blind, or woven shade that has no draw cord and the lift cord is completely enclosed so that it is not accessible;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>a vertical blind that has a wand as its operating mechanism and does not contain any beaded chains, corded pulleys, or other cord loop operating mechanisms; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>a roller shade that does not contain a cord or beaded chain.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>“Draw cord” means any form of rope, strap, or string used to raise or lower a window covering.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>“Internal lift cord” means a cord that is contained inside the body and rails of the blind or shade.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>“Wand” means a rod used to:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>rotate a vertical blind; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>tilt a horizontal blind.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>This section applies only to foster homes, family child care homes, large family child care homes, and child care centers in the State.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>All new and replacement window coverings installed on or after October 1, 2010, shall be cordless window coverings.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>All window coverings in place before October 1, 2010, shall meet minimum safety standards established in regulations jointly adopted by the Department and the State Department of Education that include standards for:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Roman shades, roll–up shades, woven shades, and all window coverings with exposed and unsecured cords;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>horizontal blinds, cellular shades, and all window coverings that have draw cords for their operation; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>vertical blinds and other window covering products with loops utilized in their operation.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>If a person fails to comply with the requirements of subsection (c)(2) of this section, the appropriate agency may require replacement of existing window coverings with cordless window coverings.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
