1. A. The purpose of the guardianship assistance program is to provide legal stability for a child who is in the custody or guardianship of a local department of social services by allowing relative caregivers to take full legal responsibility for the child.

2. B. The goals of the guardianship assistance program are to:

   1. (1) Encourage relative caregivers to become legal guardians of a child who has been placed in their home by a local department of social services by removing financial barriers; and
   2. (2) Provide a permanent, safe, nurturing environment for a child that supports a familial cultural background.

Authority: Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, §3-819.2; Family Law Article, §5-525; Annotated Code of Maryland
(Agency Note: Federal Statutory Reference—42 U.S.C. §673(d))

Effective date: February 20, 2012 (39:3 Md. R. 258)

Regulation .02B amended effective August 17, 2015 (42:16 Md. R. 1054)

Regulation .03A amended effective August 17, 2015 (42:16 Md. R. 1054)

Regulation .04A amended effective August 17, 2015 (42:16 Md. R. 1054)

Regulation .05A, B amended effective August 17, 2015 (42:16 Md. R. 1054)

Regulation .06B amended effective August 17, 2015 (42:16 Md. R. 1054)

Regulation .07B amended effective August 17, 2015 (42:16 Md. R. 1054)

Regulation .08B amended effective August 17, 2015 (42:16 Md. R. 1054)

Regulation .10A, C amended effective August 17, 2015 (42:16 Md. R. 1054)