Sec. 07.02.29.02. Definitions

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

(1) “Case plan” has the meaning stated in COMAR 07.02.11.

(2) “Child” means an individual:

(a) Younger than 18 years old; or

(b) 18 to 21 years old if the court retains jurisdiction over the child and the child meets the eligibility requirements established in COMAR 07.02.11.

(3) “Court” means the circuit court for a county or Baltimore City sitting as a juvenile court.

(4) “Guardianship” means that a court has granted physical and legal custody that includes legal authority, and responsibility for a child, to an individual to provide for a child’s needs.

(5) “Guardianship assistance agreement” means the written and binding agreement between the local department of social services and the relative caregiver.

(6) “Guardianship Assistance Program” means a program whereby the State, under qualifying circumstances, contributes financial assistance and medical assistance to help in the care of a child.

(7) “Kinship care” means continuous 24-hour care and supportive services provided for a minor child placed by a child placement agency in the home of a relative related by blood or marriage within the fifth degree of consanguinity or affinity as set forth in the Estates and Trusts Article, §1-203, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(8) “Local department” means a local department of social services in a county or Baltimore City, and the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.

(9) “Parent” means the birth or adoptive mother or father of the child and includes by reference both mother and father as applicable.

(10) “Regular care rate” means the rate paid for all children in foster care who require routine care and supervision.

(11) “Relative” means an adult who is at least 18 years old, and who is:

(a) Related by blood, marriage or adoption within the fifth degree of consanguinity or affinity as set forth in the Estates and Trusts Article, §1-203, Annotated Code of Maryland; or

(b) An individual who makes up the family support system, including:

(i) Adults related beyond the fifth degree of consanguinity or affinity;

(ii) Godparents;

(iii) Friends of the family; or

(iv) Other adults who have a strong familial bond with the child.

(12) “Relative caregiver” means a relative, or relatives as is applicable, of a child who is in the care, custody, or guardianship of a local department and who has been designated by the local department as a temporary 24-hour caregiver of that child.

(13) “Relative guardian” means a relative caregiver whom the court has designated as guardian.

(14) “Resource home” means an individual or family approved by a local department as described in COMAR 07.02.25.

(15) “Sibling” means a child that shares at least one parent with another child through blood relation, adoption or marriage of a parent.

(16) “Voluntary placement” means the placement of a child into foster care voluntarily by the parent or legal guardian who is unable to care for the child, and is either time-limited or for children with disabilities as defined in COMAR 07.02.11.

(17) “Youth” means a child 14 to 21 years old who is still in the custody of the State.