Sec. 13a.18.04.04. Restriction of Operations

A. Upon determining that any of the following is unsuitable for the child care home, the office may restrict or reduce the provider's approved:

(1) Hours of care;

(2) Child care age groups; or

(3) Child capacity.

B. The office may base a restriction or reduction under §A of this regulation on any of the following factors:

(1) Space available, indoors or outdoors;

(2) Equipment available;

(3) Number and ages of residents in the child care home;

(4) Responsibility of the provider to care for another individual who may require special attention or care, including, but not limited to, an elderly resident or a child with a serious physical, emotional, or behavioral condition;

(5) Applicable fire, zoning, health, environmental, or other codes;

(6) Failure to comply with group size and staffing requirements set forth at COMAR 13A.18.08.03; or

(7) Other factors the office determines may cause a risk to a child's health, safety, or welfare.

C. A provider may appeal a restriction or reduction pursuant to §B of this regulation by filing a request for hearing:

(1) Not later than 20 calendar days after the notification of the office's action; or

(2) In the case of an emergency reduction in capacity, not later than 30 calendar days after the notification by the office of its decision to immediately reduce the number of children in care.