1. (a) The Department shall adopt rules and regulations that establish eligibility guidelines for payment for foster care for 1 or more classes of children, including children who are in need of special care.

2. (b)

   1. (1) For a child who does not need special care, the Department shall pay for foster care in a single family home at a monthly rate that is not less than 55% of the monthly rate provided in subsection (c) of this section for a child who requires the most demanding special care in a single family home.
   2. (2) The monthly rate shall include increments based on the age of the child.

3. (c) The Department shall pay for foster care for a child who needs the most demanding special care in a single family home at a monthly rate that is not less than the higher of:

   1. (1) the rate that the Department paid in fiscal year 1975; and
   2. (2) the rate that the Department of Juvenile Services pays for the current fiscal year.

Added by Acts 1984, c. 296, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1984. Amended by Acts 1987, c. 290, § 1, eff. July 1, 1987; Acts 1989, c. 539, § 7, eff. July 1, 1989; Acts 1995, c. 8, § 4, eff. June 1, 1995; Acts 2003, c. 53, § 6, eff. July 1, 2003.

Formerly Art. 88A, § 60.