1. (a) In this part the following words have the meanings indicated.

2. (b)

   1. (1) “Residential child care program” includes a facility or program that:

      1. (i) provides a residential environment such as:

         1. 1. a program with a wilderness or outdoor experience, expedition, or intervention;
         2. 2. a boot camp experience or other experience designed to simulate characteristics of basic military training for correctional regimes;
         3. 3. an educational or therapeutic boarding school; or
         4. 4. a behavioral modification program; and

      2. (ii) serves children who have a history of diagnosis of:

         1. 1. an emotional, behavioral, or mental health disorder;
         2. 2. a substance misuse or use disorder, including alcohol misuse or use disorder; or
         3. 3. an intellectual, developmental, physical, or sensory disability.

   2. (2) “Residential child care program” does not include:

      1. (i) a hospital licensed by the State;
      2. (ii) a detention facility licensed by the State;
      3. (iii) a youth correctional facility;
      4. (iv) a substance abuse treatment facility;

      5. (v) a foster family home:

         1. 1. that provides 24-hour substitute care for children placed away from their parents or guardians;
         2. 2. for which the State child welfare services agency has placement and care responsibility; and
         3. 3. that is licensed and regulated by the State as a foster family home; or
      6. (vi) any other secure facility.
3. (c) “Youth transportation company” means a business that specializes in transporting a child to a residential child care program.

Added by Acts 2025, c. 343, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025; Acts 2025, c. 344, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.