1. A. A local department shall review each kinship caregiver and home:

   1. (1) Annually; or

   2. (2) If there are significant changes in the lives of the kinship caregiver or household, discuss the significant change and determine if a review is necessary. Significant changes may include:

      1. (a) Illness or death of a household member;
      2. (b) Marital problems or significant conflict in the household;
      3. (c) A move to a new residence;
      4. (d) Suspected abuse or neglect in the home; and
      5. (e) Changes in family composition due to individuals leaving or joining the household, marriage, separation, divorce, or another occurrence.

2. B. In an annual review, the local department shall:

   1. (1) Conduct at least one home visit to determine continuing compliance with this chapter;
   2. (2) Review child protective services records, criminal background records, state and national sex offender registries, and the results of a search in the Maryland Judiciary Case Search for the kinship caregiver and all household members 18 years old or older; and
   3. (3) Meet with the kinship caregiver to discuss the prior year and concerns and needs of the kinship caregiver.

3. C. In any review under this regulation, the local department shall:

   1. (1) Conduct a kinship caregiver assessment of any new kinship caregiver who has not previously had an assessment as required by this regulation;
   2. (2) Require that a new kinship caregiver or household member 18 or older apply within 5 business days for a State and federal fingerprint-based criminal background clearance and consent to a child abuse and neglect clearance;

   3. (3) When applicable, require that:

      1. (a) Any new kinship caregiver has a medical examination if requested by the local department for a reason set forth in Regulation .03E of this chapter:
      2. (b) Any new kinship caregiver sign the required forms and a Resource Parent and Kinship Caregiver Agreement;
   4. (4) Identify any circumstances or conditions that may affect continued placement of the child in care with the kinship caregiver and any other matters having a bearing on the child in care’s physical, emotional, medical, or educational needs; and
   5. (5) Identify resources and develop a plan to address and resolve any outstanding health or safety concerns by an agreed-upon date.
4. D. A worker shall notify the kinship caregiver in writing within 30 days of completing the review of the kinship caregiver’s license status.
5. E. A kinship caregiver license can be revoked or suspended for any violation of a regulation in this chapter.
6. F. If the kinship caregiver moves to a new residence, the local department shall assess the home by completing a new Kinship Caregiver and Home Assessment.

Effective date: March 20, 2000 (27:5 Md. R. 581)

Chapter repealed effective April 16, 2012 (39:7 Md. R. 490)

New Regulations .01 — .13 adopted effective December 12, 2024 (51:24 Md. R. 1081)