Sec. 14.31.02.03. Definitions

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

B. Terms Defined.

(1) "Agencies" means the Department of Human Services, the Department of Juvenile Services, the Maryland Department of Health, and the Department of Education.

(2) "Care" means food, clothing, education, shelter, social or health services, or any combination of these rendered in a residential setting.

(3) "Child" means an individual younger than 21 years old, unless otherwise provided by State law.

(4) "Children's Cabinet" means those agencies directed by Executive Order:

(a) To examine Maryland's system of services to children and their families; and

(b) To facilitate ongoing improvements to this service delivery system.

(5) "Expansion request" means the materials required by the Office, from an established provider who wishes to expand a residential child care program to an additional location.

(6) "Facility" means the physical premises where a residential child care program is operated.

(7) "Licensing" means the process undertaken by an agency to issue, suspend, or deny a license.

(8) "Monitoring" means the process of assessing continuing compliance with agency licensing requirements and applicable statutes and regulations.

(9) "Office" means the Governor's Office for Children.

(10) "Program administrator" means the individual designated by the licensee's governing body as having day-to-day responsibility for the administration and operation of a program, including ensuring the care, treatment, safety, and protection of the children residing in the program.

(11) "Proposal" means the materials required by the Office from a potential new provider or an established provider to develop a new residential child care facility or program.

(12) "Provider" means the operator of a program.

(13) "Residential child care program" means a program of care provided in a residential setting by a provider on a 24-hour basis for longer than 24 hours to a child or children unless otherwise provided by State law.

(14) "Sanctions" means all or any part of the penalties agencies impose on facilities or providers for failure to comply with the applicable licensing laws and regulations.

(15) "Single point of entry review panel" means an interagency panel convened as needed at the request of the Office for Children to review proposals and expansion requests.