<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".12" citation="COMAR 14.31.05.12" title_num="14" subtitle_num="31" chapter_num="05" heading="Variance and Waiver.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Request for Variance.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An applicant or licensee may submit to the licensing agency a written request for a variance.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An applicant or licensee shall demonstrate that the variance will:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Meet or produce the intended effect of each regulation for which the variance is requested; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Maintain the health, safety, and well-being of the children in the program at or above the level required by the regulation for which the variance is requested.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Licensing Agency Action on Request for Variance.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The licensing agency shall act on a request for variance and notify the applicant or licensee of its decision within 30 days of receipt of the request, except for good cause.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The licensing agency may grant the request for a variance if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The applicant or licensee submitted the request in accordance with the provisions of §A of this regulation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The applicant or licensee has complied with all other licensing regulations; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The licensing agency determines that the requested variance will meet the requirements of §A(2) of this regulation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Unless otherwise specified in the licensing agency's decision, a variance remains in effect for the term of the license.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Request for Waiver.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An applicant or licensee may submit to the licensing agency a written request for a waiver.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The applicant or licensee shall include in the request specific facts upon which the waiver is requested and shall demonstrate that:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The waiver is necessary to meet the requirements of State or federal law; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>It would be unduly burdensome and inequitable for the applicant or licensee to comply with the provisions of the regulation for which the waiver is requested; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Under the waiver, the program will maintain the health, safety, and well-being of the children in the program at or above the level required by the regulation for which the waiver is sought.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Licensing Agency Action on Request for Waiver.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The licensing agency shall act on a request for a waiver and notify the applicant or licensee of its decision within 30 days of receipt of the request, except for good cause.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The licensing agency may grant the request for a waiver if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The applicant or licensee submitted the request in accordance with the provisions of §C of this regulation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The waiver is consistent with State law;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The health, safety, and well-being of the children in the program is not jeopardized by the granting of the waiver; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The licensing agency determines that the requested waiver meets the requirements of §C(2) of this regulation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Unless otherwise specified in the licensing agency's decision, a waiver remains in effect for the term of the license.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Appeals. An applicant or licensee aggrieved by the decision of the licensing agency on a request for a variance or waiver may appeal the decision under Regulation .10 of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>