<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" citation="COMAR 07.02.09.06" title_num="07" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="09" heading="Review of a Kinship Resource Home.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A local department shall review each kinship caregiver and home:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Annually; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If there are significant changes in the lives of the kinship caregiver or household, discuss the significant change and determine if a review is necessary. Significant changes may include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Illness or death of a household member;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Marital problems or significant conflict in the household;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A move to a new residence;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Suspected abuse or neglect in the home; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Changes in family composition due to individuals leaving or joining the household, marriage, separation, divorce, or another occurrence.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>In an annual review, the local department shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Conduct at least one home visit to determine continuing compliance with this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Review child protective services records, criminal background records, state and national sex offender registries, and the results of a search in the Maryland Judiciary Case Search for the kinship caregiver and all household members 18 years old or older; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Meet with the kinship caregiver to discuss the prior year and concerns and needs of the kinship caregiver.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>In any review under this regulation, the local department shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Conduct a kinship caregiver assessment of any new kinship caregiver who has not previously had an assessment as required by this regulation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Require that a new kinship caregiver or household member 18 or older apply within 5 business days for a State and federal fingerprint-based criminal background clearance and consent to a child abuse and neglect clearance;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>When applicable, require that:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Any new kinship caregiver has a medical examination if requested by the local department for a reason set forth in Regulation .03E of this chapter:</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Any new kinship caregiver sign the required forms and a Resource Parent and Kinship Caregiver Agreement;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Identify any circumstances or conditions that may affect continued placement of the child in care with the kinship caregiver and any other matters having a bearing on the child in care’s physical, emotional, medical, or educational needs; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Identify resources and develop a plan to address and resolve any outstanding health or safety concerns by an agreed-upon date.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>A worker shall notify the kinship caregiver in writing within 30 days of completing the review of the kinship caregiver’s license status.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>A kinship caregiver license can be revoked or suspended for any violation of a regulation in this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>If the kinship caregiver moves to a new residence, the local department shall assess the home by completing a new Kinship Caregiver and Home Assessment.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>