<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".12" citation="COMAR 07.05.03.12" title_num="07" subtitle_num="05" chapter_num="03" heading="Approval or Denial of Applicant.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>If a child abuse or neglect investigation is pending on the applicant, the agency may not make a decision to approve or deny an applicant until the investigation is completed.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>After the agency child placement worker completes a home study, the agency's chief administrator or designee shall make the final decision to approve or deny the applicant for adoption based on:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Regulations .08—.10 of this chapter; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The agency's rules and policies.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Approved Applicant. If the agency approves the applicant:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The agency child placement worker shall, within 5 days of the decision, send a written confirmation explaining the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Time frame for finalizing an adoption; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Opportunity to be registered with MARE and other regional, national, or international exchanges; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the agency has no child available for an approved applicant within 60 days of the approval for a domestic adoption, the agency shall offer the applicant an opportunity to register with MARE and other regional and national exchanges.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Denied Applicant. If the agency decision is to deny the applicant, the agency child placement worker shall offer to meet with the denied applicant within 10 days of the decision, and:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If the applicant agrees to a meeting:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Explain the reason for the denial including State regulation citations, agency rules, and policy citations,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Explain the agency's appeal procedure; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Within 5 days after the meeting with the denied applicant, send a written explanation of the topics listed in §D(1)(a) and (b) of this regulation; or</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the applicant does not agree to a meeting, within 10 days of the decision send a written statement to the denied applicant which explains the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Reason for the denial, including State regulation citations, agency rules, and policy citations, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Agency appeal process.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>