<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" citation="COMAR 07.05.02.09" title_num="07" subtitle_num="05" chapter_num="02" heading="Certified Foster Parent Restrictions and Reporting Responsibilities.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A certified foster parent shall accept all restrictions imposed by the agency.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A certified foster parent shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>When a foster child's whereabouts are unknown for 2 hours, notify the local law enforcement authority and the agency:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Immediately by phone call; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Within 48 hours by written report;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Immediately notify the agency of all critical incidents including a foster child's:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Death;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Injury;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Serious illness;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Incarceration; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Suspected physical abuse, neglect, or mental injury;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Within 48 hours, notify the agency of changes in the foster parent's household, including:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Employment and child care arrangements;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Household composition;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Residence and telephone number;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Health status; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Stressful conditions which may affect the child's placement;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Obtain approval from the agency for other adults to supervise the child while the foster parent is employed;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Be 21 years old or older;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>If 61 years old or older, have adequate physical strength and emotional stability to meet the needs of a child as documented by:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A physician's report; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The agency child placement worker's assessment; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Assist in the child's relationship with parents by:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Helping the child visit with parents;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Maintaining respect towards the child's parents; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Informing the child's parents about events and happenings in the child's daily life.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A certified foster parent may not:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Unless referred as described in COMAR 07.05.03.05E, accept a child for foster care from any individual or agency other than the agency that certified the foster parent;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Accept a child for foster care who is in State custody if the certified foster parent is employed by:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A local department, child welfare services;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The Department of Juvenile Services;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Maryland Department of Health, Office of Health Care Quality;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Department of Education, Interagency Rates;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Governor's Office on Children, Youth, and Families; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>The Administration;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Be certified as a foster parent by an agency in which the foster parent is:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An agency employee who works in child foster care or adoption service; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A member of the agency's governing board;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Provide adult care;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Provide independent boarding care;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Accept for care an elderly individual or convalescent related to the foster parent unless the agency documents that the child's care is not affected;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Have, including the certified foster parent's own children, more than:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Six children in care; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Eight children when caring for a sibling group of foster children;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Have, including the infants of foster children and certified foster parents:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>More than two infants; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>More than six children when:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>There is an infant in the home, or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Three children are younger than 6 years old;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Provide child day care except with the Administration's written authorization after review of the certified foster parent according to the following criteria:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The foster parent meets the requirements of this chapter and COMAR 07.04.01;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The foster parent has the physical strength and emotional stability to be responsible for:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The day care of one or more children, and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Supervision of one or more foster children;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The foster parent's day care of other children does not adversely affect the status or feeling of security of any foster child in the home; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The foster parent does not provide treatment foster care services; or</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>Allow the child to be disciplined by:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Corporal punishment;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Deprivation of food, shelter, clothing, care, or emotional support;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Physical restraint;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Isolation; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Demeaning verbal abuse.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>