<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 13A.16.06.03" title_num="13A" subtitle_num="16" chapter_num="06" heading="Suitability for Employment.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A child care center operator may not employ an individual who has received at any time a conviction, a probation before judgment disposition, a not criminally responsible disposition, or a pending charge for the commission or attempted commission of:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A crime involving:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A child;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Cruelty to animals;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Domestic violence of an intimate partner or spouse; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>A weapons or firearms violation of federal or state laws;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A sex offense;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A violent crime classified as a felony, including physical assault or battery;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Abduction or kidnapping;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Abuse of a child or an adult;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Confinement of an unattended child;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing a controlled dangerous substance if committed during the preceding 5 years;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Perjury;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Pornography;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>Possession with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled dangerous substance if committed during the preceding 5 years;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>Reckless endangerment; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(12)">
      <text>The felony of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Murder;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Spousal abuse; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Arson.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>If an individual has been identified at any time as responsible for child abuse or neglect or received at any time a conviction, a probation before judgment disposition, a not criminally responsible disposition, or a pending charge for the commission or attempted commission of a crime or offense that is not included in §A of this regulation, the office:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Shall assess, on the basis of the following factors, the individual's suitability for employment:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The job position at the center for which the individual is applying or in which the individual is currently employed;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The nature and seriousness of the incident, crime, or offense;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>How long ago the incident, crime, or offense occurred;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The age of the individual at the time the incident, crime, or offense occurred;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>The individual's probation or parole status, if applicable; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Any other information the office considers pertinent; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Depending on the results of the assessment, shall permit or prohibit employment of the individual.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Request for Reassessment.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An individual who is prohibited from employment by the office pursuant to §B of this regulation may request the office to conduct a reassessment with respect to the incident, crime, or offense.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>For a reassessment request to be eligible for consideration:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The request shall be in writing and shall include documentation, such as but not limited to letters of support or evaluation reports, pertinent to the incident, crime, or offense; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The individual may not have submitted a reassessment request, whether for the same or a different job position, within the previous 12 months.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>In order to reach a decision on the request, the office may request additional information from the individual, the center operator, or any agency or entity cited by the individual or the operator in connection with the reassessment request.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Upon reaching a decision on the request, the office shall promptly notify the individual of that decision.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The center operator may not permit the individual to begin or to resume employment until the office has notified the operator that the individual may be employed.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Notification of Employment Prohibition.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If the office, pursuant to this chapter, determines that an individual may not be employed at a center, the office shall notify the individual and the center operator in writing of that decision and its basis.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The written notification to the individual shall also:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>State that the individual may appeal the decision to the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH); and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Specify the requirements for submitting an appeal to the OAH.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Upon notification that an individual may not be employed, the center operator:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Shall promptly terminate the individual from employment or from consideration for employment, as applicable; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Unless the individual appeals the decision to the OAH and the appeal is concluded in favor of the individual, may not:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Reconsider the individual for employment;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Permit the individual to have any contact with an unrelated child in care; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Allow the individual on the premises of the facility except to exercise parental responsibilities with respect to a related child in care.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>An operator may not allow an individual to serve, or to continue to serve, in a child care position for which the individual does not meet the employment qualification or training requirements set forth at Regulations .05—.12, as applicable, of this chapter, unless the individual is a substitute functioning in accordance with Regulation .13 of this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>