Sec. 07.05.02.09. Certified Foster Parent Restrictions and Reporting Responsibilities

A. A certified foster parent shall accept all restrictions imposed by the agency.

B. A certified foster parent shall:

(1) When a foster child's whereabouts are unknown for 2 hours, notify the local law enforcement authority and the agency:

(a) Immediately by phone call; and

(b) Within 48 hours by written report;

(2) Immediately notify the agency of all critical incidents including a foster child's:

(a) Death;

(b) Injury;

(c) Serious illness;

(d) Incarceration; or

(e) Suspected physical abuse, neglect, or mental injury;

(3) Within 48 hours, notify the agency of changes in the foster parent's household, including:

(a) Employment and child care arrangements;

(b) Household composition;

(c) Residence and telephone number;

(d) Health status; and

(e) Stressful conditions which may affect the child's placement;

(4) Obtain approval from the agency for other adults to supervise the child while the foster parent is employed;

(5) Be 21 years old or older;

(6) If 61 years old or older, have adequate physical strength and emotional stability to meet the needs of a child as documented by:

(a) A physician's report; and

(b) The agency child placement worker's assessment; and

(7) Assist in the child's relationship with parents by:

(a) Helping the child visit with parents;

(b) Maintaining respect towards the child's parents; and

(c) Informing the child's parents about events and happenings in the child's daily life.

C. A certified foster parent may not:

(1) Unless referred as described in COMAR 07.05.03.05E, accept a child for foster care from any individual or agency other than the agency that certified the foster parent;

(2) Accept a child for foster care who is in State custody if the certified foster parent is employed by:

(a) A local department, child welfare services;

(b) The Department of Juvenile Services;

(c) Maryland Department of Health, Office of Health Care Quality;

(d) Department of Education, Interagency Rates;

(e) Governor's Office on Children, Youth, and Families; or

(f) The Administration;

(3) Be certified as a foster parent by an agency in which the foster parent is:

(a) An agency employee who works in child foster care or adoption service; or

(b) A member of the agency's governing board;

(4) Provide adult care;

(5) Provide independent boarding care;

(6) Accept for care an elderly individual or convalescent related to the foster parent unless the agency documents that the child's care is not affected;

(7) Have, including the certified foster parent's own children, more than:

(a) Six children in care; or

(b) Eight children when caring for a sibling group of foster children;

(8) Have, including the infants of foster children and certified foster parents:

(a) More than two infants; or

(b) More than six children when:

(i) There is an infant in the home; or

(ii) Three children are younger than 6 years old;

(9) Provide child day care except with the Administration's written authorization after review of the certified foster parent according to the following criteria:

(a) The foster parent meets the requirements of this chapter and COMAR 07.04.01;

(b) The foster parent has the physical strength and emotional stability to be responsible for:

(i) The day care of one or more children; and

(ii) Supervision of one or more foster children;

(c) The foster parent's day care of other children does not adversely affect the status or feeling of security of any foster child in the home; and

(d) The foster parent does not provide treatment foster care services; or

(10) Allow the child to be disciplined by:

(a) Corporal punishment;

(b) Deprivation of food, shelter, clothing, care, or emotional support;

(c) Physical restraint;

(d) Isolation; or

(e) Demeaning verbal abuse.