<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".11" citation="COMAR 07.05.01.11" title_num="07" subtitle_num="05" chapter_num="01" heading="Record Maintenance, Security, Retention, and Disposition.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The agency shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Maintain records necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the agency in accordance with the agency’s type of license:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Legible; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Signed and dated by the individual making the record entry;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Develop written policies and procedures with clearly defined criteria regarding record maintenance, security, confidentiality in handling, disclosure, and destruction in accordance with Human Services Article, §§1-201 and 1-202, Annotated Code of Maryland, which shall include procedures for:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Providing, upon request, information to the child or the child’s parent or legal custodian, if the information released does not contain material that violates the privacy rights of another individual or material required to be withheld from release according to State law or by order of a court;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Maintaining indefinitely and in locked storage, case records on foster and adoptive children and their birth and adoptive families;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Retaining financial records and other documents for:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>5 years after the client's termination from service, or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Until the resolution of any audit findings or claims involving the records in compliance with applicable State laws or contractual agreements;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Destroying records in a manner to preserve confidentiality;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Making all records available in the manner requested for review or audit by authorized State or federal personnel or by other authorized individuals whose official duties require inspection, review, or audit of the records;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Transferring of case records to the receiving agency when a child in care or receiving adoption services is transferred to a different privately licensed or public State agency; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Reviewing the case record maintenance system for:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Ensuring that children's records are kept current and accurate, and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Documenting the name of the individual and the purpose for and date of access to the record.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Without the voluntary, written consent of the parent or guardian or pursuant to a court order, the agency may not release any information about a child in care or receiving adoption services except to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The child;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The child's parent or guardian;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The court;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A representative of the agency which holds custody of the child; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Authorized State or federal personnel or by other authorized individuals whose official duties require inspection, review, or audit of the records.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The agency may use material from case records for teaching, research purposes, accreditation review, or enhancement of the governing board’s understanding and knowledge of the agency’s services only when client names and other identifying information are redacted or deleted.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>If the agency corporation dissolves, the agency shall deposit all records with the Administration for disposition or retention as required by law.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>