# COMAR Title 14 — Independent Agencies

## Subtitle 31 — Office for Children

### Chapter 06 — Standards for Residential Child Care Programs

#### Regulation .16 Absence Without Leave.

*COMAR 14.31.06.16*

A. Written Policy. The licensee shall have and follow a written policy to govern its actions when a child is discovered to be absent without leave.

B. Child’s Return. Unless otherwise specified in the child’s individual plan of care, if the child has not returned to the program within 1 hour of the program discovering that the child is missing or unaccounted for, the licensee shall notify:

  (1) The local law enforcement authority;

  (2) The placing agency;

  (3) The licensing agency; and

  (4) The child’s parent or legal guardian, unless inconsistent with the child’s individual plan of care.

C. Notification. When a child who was missing or unaccounted for returns to the program, the licensee shall immediately notify:

  (1) The local law enforcement authority;

  (2) The child’s parent or legal guardian;

  (3) The placing agency; and

  (4) The licensing agency.