<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".10" citation="COMAR 07.05.02.10" title_num="07" subtitle_num="05" chapter_num="02" heading="Foster Parent's Home, Equipment, and Supply Requirements.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Health and Sanitary Approval.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The foster parent's home shall meet the public health and sanitary requirements of the local health department and other applicable State or local requirements.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Before certifying the foster parent, the agency shall have the home's health and sanitary approval in writing and signed by an employee of the local health department or an individual who is a State-licensed sanitarian.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Fire Safety Approval.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The foster home shall meet the safety requirements of the local fire department and other applicable State or local requirements.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Before certifying the foster parent, the agency shall have, from the local fire department, a written:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Approval documenting a home fire inspection; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Statement indicating that local policy does not allow fire inspections.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Recreation. The foster parent shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Provide sufficient accessible space for outdoor activity, free from conditions that may be dangerous to children's health and safety; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Have or have access to age-appropriate outdoor and indoor recreation equipment.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Sleeping and Living Quarters.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The living quarters shall provide space for children without disrupting usual sleeping and living arrangements.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The children's sleeping and living quarters shall provide for privacy, study at home, and storage of clothes, toys, and individual possessions, and, as necessary, isolation of a sick child.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Each child shall have adequate bedding and an individual bed which may not be a cot, sofa, sofa bed, double-tiered bed, bunk bed, or any type of portable bed.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A responsible adult shall sleep within call of each child in the home, according to the child's needs, age, and capability.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Except for infants, boys and girls may not sleep in the same room.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Living and sleeping quarters shall be clean.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>An infant may share a bedroom with an adult until the infant is 6 months old.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Equipment, Supplies, and Wardrobe.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The foster parent's home shall be adequately equipped and supplied with items essential to health, comfort, and good grooming, including:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Individual towels, toothbrushes, and combs; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Food for a nutritionally balanced diet.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The foster parent shall supply an adequate personal wardrobe, bureau, and closet space for the foster child.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>When a foster child moves to a different setting, the child's personal supplies and wardrobe shall move with the foster child.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A certified foster parent shall provide pool safety supervision commensurate with a child's age and ability.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A swimming pool or hot tub at the home of a foster parent shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Comply with county or city zoning, building, and health codes or ordinances.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>In-Ground Pools. If a child younger than 8 years old is placed in a home with an in-ground pool:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The pool area shall be completely enclosed by a fence:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>At least 4 feet high,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Constructed of wood, concrete, brick, or chain metal, and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Equipped with a locked gate to be used when the pool is not in use; or</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>When not in use, the pool shall be completely covered in a manner to prevent access by the child.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Safety Requirements for Above-Ground Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, and Spas.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>When not in use, retractable or removable ladders shall be locked or stored away from the pool.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The pool shall be 4 feet above ground at all points.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Doors and gates that access the pool shall have locks.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>If a pool has a deck area with a door, the door shall be locked when the pool is not in use.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>If the pool entrance has permanent steps, access to the steps shall be limited by a locked gate.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>A pool may not have climbable objects on the exterior of the pool.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>When not in use, hot tubs and spas shall have secured covers which prevent access to the tub or spa by children.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Dangerous Household Items.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Firearms. A foster parent who maintains firearms in the home shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Follow all federal, State, and local laws pertaining to registration, permits, and maintenance of firearms;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Keep all firearms and ammunition maintained in the home in a locked room or container that is inaccessible to children;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Take all safety precautions to assure that firearms are not accidentally used to injure children in care; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Assure that loaded firearms are not kept in the home unless required because a State, federal, or local law enforcement officer:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Lives in the household, and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Maintains and stores the firearms in accordance with State, federal, and local law enforcement officers' safety procedures.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Prescription and non-prescription drugs, dangerous household supplies, tools, and any other household items which are potentially life- threatening or injurious to children shall be kept in a safe location, inaccessible to children.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Pets. A foster parent who maintains a pet in the home shall assure that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The foster child is, when age appropriate, educated regarding the care and grooming of the pet;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A responsible adult is always present when infants are near a pet potentially dangerous to the infant;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A foster child allergic to the pet is not placed with the foster parent; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>As required by State law or local ordinance, the pet is appropriately:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Licensed or registered,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Vaccinated, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Leashed.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>Transportation. A foster parent shall assure that the child has legal and safe transportation to and from:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Medical and dental appointments;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>School;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Appropriate social events;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Scheduled meetings with relatives and friends; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Events scheduled by the agency.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>