# Human Services (GHU)

## Title 8. Children, Youth, and Families

### Subtitle 7. Residential Child Care Programs -- General Provisions

#### Section 8-715

(a) In this part the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b)

  (1) "Residential child care program" includes a facility or program that:

    (i) provides a residential environment such as:

      (1) a program with a wilderness or outdoor experience, expedition, or intervention;

      (2) a boot camp experience or other experience designed to simulate characteristics of basic military training for correctional regimes;

      (3) an educational or therapeutic boarding school; or

      (4) a behavioral modification program; and

    (ii) serves children who have a history of diagnosis of:

      (1) an emotional, behavioral, or mental health disorder;

      (2) a substance misuse or use disorder, including alcohol misuse or use disorder; or

      (3) an intellectual, developmental, physical, or sensory disability.

  (2) "Residential child care program" does not include:

    (i) a hospital licensed by the State;

    (ii) a detention facility licensed by the State;

    (iii) a youth correctional facility;

    (iv) a substance abuse treatment facility;

    (v) a foster family home:

      (1) that provides 24-hour substitute care for children placed away from their parents or guardians;

      (2) for which the State child welfare services agency has placement and care responsibility; and

      (3) that is licensed and regulated by the State as a foster family home; or

    (vi) any other secure facility.

(c) "Youth transportation company" means a business that specializes in transporting a child to a residential child care program.

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