# COMAR Title 13A — State Board of Education

## Subtitle 16 — Child Care Centers

### Chapter 07 — Child Protection

#### Regulation .03 Child Discipline.

*COMAR 13A.16.07.03*

A. Child discipline shall be:

  (1) Appropriate to the age, maturity, and physical condition of the child; and

  (2) Consistent with the requirements of this chapter.

B. The operator, employee, substitute, or volunteer may not:

  (1) Force a child to eat or drink;

  (2) Punish a child for refusing to eat or drink;

  (3) Withhold food or beverages as punishment; or

  (4) Spank, hit, shake, or use any other means of physical discipline.

C. The operator shall:

  (1) Prepare a written child discipline policy that states the:

    (a) Discipline methods used at the center; and

    (b) The circumstances under which the child discipline methods may be applied;

  (2) Make the child discipline policy available to:

    (a) The parent of each child in care;

    (b) A parent who is considering whether to enroll their children; and

    (c) The office; and

  (3) Ensure that the child discipline policy is followed by each employee, substitute, volunteer, and other individual connected with the center.