<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".11" citation="COMAR 07.02.29.11" title_num="07" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="29" heading="Continued Participation.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The local department shall conduct a reconsideration of the guardianship assistance at least once every year until the guardianship assistance is terminated.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The local department shall provide written notice to the relative guardian 60 days prior to the due date of the required annual reconsideration, which shall include:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A copy of the current guardianship assistance agreement;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A list of information or documentation required to be submitted by the relative guardian for reconsideration of the guardianship assistance including:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A signed written statement that the child continues to reside with and be in the care of the relative guardian;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Documentation that the child:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Is a full-time student, which shall be in the form of a copy of the report card or third party documentation;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Is incapable of attending school due to a documented medical condition and therefore not enrolled in school; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Is 18 years old or older and is in compliance with §E of this regulation; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A copy of the child’s immunization record documenting regular health care if the child is not school age or not enrolled in school;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Notice that the guardianship assistance may be reduced as a result of the reconsideration; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A request that the relative guardian contact the local department to schedule a consultation for reconsideration of the guardianship assistance.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Consultation with the relative guardian shall include discussion of:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Continued eligibility and participation of the child in the guardianship assistance program;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Continued eligibility and participation of the relative guardian in the guardianship assistance program; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Any additions or modifications to the guardianship assistance agreement including:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Payment amounts;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Termination time frame; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Requirement that all parties must agree to any change or amendment.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Following the reconsideration, the local department shall provide to the relative guardian:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>30 days written notice of any planned reduction of the guardianship assistance amount as a result of the reconsideration; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A copy of any proposed amendments to the guardianship assistance agreement as a result of the reconsideration.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Continuation of Title IV-E guardianship assistance for youth age 18 to 21 years old.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A youth who was at least 16 years old at the time the guardianship assistance agreement became effective shall be eligible for Title IV-E guardianship assistance payments until 21 years old as long as the youth is:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Completing secondary education or a program leading to an equivalent credential;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Enrolled in or attending, subsequent to the youth’s 18th birthday, a:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Maryland Higher Education Commission institution of higher learning or an equivalent; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Vocational training program;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Participating in a program or activity designed to promote, or remove barriers to, employment;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Employed for at least 80 hours per month; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Incapable of doing any of the above described activities due to a medical condition.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A youth with a documented physical or mental disability warranting continuance of assistance shall remain eligible for Title IV-E or State guardianship payments until attaining 21 years old provided the relative guardian provides documentation of the physical or mental disability to the local department 30 days prior to the youth attaining age 18, and provides documentation showing disability at each annual reconsideration.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A youth who is not eligible for continued participation according to §E(1) or (2) of this regulation remains eligible for State guardianship assistance payments until age 21, provided the youth is:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Completing secondary education or a program leading to an equivalent credential;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Enrolled in or attending, subsequent to the youth’s 18th birthday, a:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Maryland Higher Education Commission institution of higher learning or an equivalent; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Vocational training program;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Participating in a program or activity designed to promote, or remove barriers to, employment;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Employed for at least 80 hours per month; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Incapable of doing any of the above described activities due to a medical condition.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The local department shall request in writing 60 days prior to the child attaining 18 years old, and at each subsequent annual reconsideration, from the relative guardian documentation of the child’s continued need for guardianship assistance as required in §B and §C(1)—(3) of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>