<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 07.02.25.04" title_num="07" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="25" heading="Requirements for Resource Homes.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Health and Safety.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The worker shall assess the home using a home health and safety survey approved by the Administration to ensure that the home meets health and safety standards; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If a worker has concerns about the health and safety of the home, the worker may request that the local health department or other certified inspector inspect the home, which may include water and lead testing.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Fire Safety.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The worker shall assess the home for fire safety using a fire safety survey approved by the Administration.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The resource home shall have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If a worker has concerns about fire safety, the worker may request that a fire marshal or other certified fire inspector complete an inspection of the home.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>General Safety Requirements.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Firearms and Ammunition.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>All firearms in the resource home shall be unloaded, stored in a locked storage area, and inaccessible to children.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>All ammunition shall be stored separately from the firearms in a locked storage area, inaccessible to children.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The resource parent shall take all safety precautions to ensure that firearms are not used to injure children in the resource home.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The worker shall obtain assurances from the applicant that no loaded firearms will be kept in the resource home unless required because a state, federal, or local law enforcement officer lives in the household and maintains and stores the firearms, in accordance with state, federal, and local law enforcement safety procedures.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Potentially dangerous materials. A resource parent shall ensure that prescription and non-prescription medication, dangerous household supplies, tools, and any other potentially dangerous items are inaccessible to children.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Window Coverings. A window covering installed before October 1, 2010, may not have unsecured cords, beads, ropes, or strings. Any window covering installed after October 1, 2010, shall be cordless.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Sleeping and Living Areas. The resource home shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Provide the child in care space for privacy, studying, and the storage of clothes, toys, and personal possessions; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Provide a safe sleeping arrangement for the child in care as follows:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>A sleeping arrangement may include a bunk bed, trundle bed, or another safe permanent arrangement the local department deems appropriate;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>A child in care under two years old shall sleep in a crib or other secure bed that will ensure the child in care’s safety;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Except for a child in care younger than 2 years, children in care of opposite genders may not sleep in the same room unless otherwise approved by the local department;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>A child in care 2 years old or older may not share a bedroom with an adult unless otherwise approved by the local department; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>A child in care may not share a bed with an adult or another child.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Pets. A resource parent who has a pet in the home shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Provide age-appropriate supervision when the child in care is interacting with the pet; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Keep the pet up to date on rabies vaccinations.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, Spas, Waterfront Properties, Fish or Duck Ponds, and Similar Bodies of Water.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A resource parent shall provide supervision with regard to water safety appropriate for a child in care's age and ability.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The resource home worker shall:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Discuss requirements for barriers and safety mechanisms to ensure the safety of children in care; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Inspect the pool, hot tub, spa, waterfront property, fish or duck pond, or similar body of water for safety compliance.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A resource parent shall ensure that any swimming pool, fish or duck pond, or similar body of water at the resource home:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Is maintained in a safe and sanitary condition; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Complies with county zoning, building, or health codes or ordinances.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>With regard to an in-ground pool, the resource parent shall have the pool area enclosed by a fence at least four feet high with a gate that can be locked or have another safety mechanism to prevent access to the pool from the resource home;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>With regard to an above-ground swimming pool or hot tub, the resource parent shall have:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Retractable or removable ladders that shall be locked when not in use or stored away from the pool; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>A pool with sides at least four feet above the ground at all points or fencing around a pool that is at least four feet high at all points;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>All doors and gates that access a pool, hot tub, or spa shall have locks;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>If a pool, hot tub, or spa has a deck area with a door, the door shall be locked;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>All permanent steps to the pool, hot tub, or spa shall have a locked gate;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(i)">
        <text>A pool, hot tub, or spa shall not have climbable objects on the exterior;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(j)">
        <text>Hot tubs or spas shall be securely covered when not in use;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(k)">
        <text>When there is waterfront property, a fish or duck pond, or a similar body of water at or near the resource home, the local department may require that the body of water or the resource home be fenced with a locked gate or have other safety mechanisms in place;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(l)">
        <text>A resource parent shall have at least one individual currently trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) present at the resource home's swimming pool and water recreation area when being used by a child in care;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(m)">
        <text>Upon consideration of the following, a local director may give a resource parent a written exemption from one or more provisions of this subsection if doing so does not violate zoning, building or safety codes, or related ordinances;</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The age, special needs, and swimming ability of the child in care placed in the resource home;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The proximity and location of the pool, hot tub, spa, or body of water to the resource home; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Any other safety mechanism in place that ensures the safety of the child in care.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>