1. A. The agency shall have comprehensive written personnel policies and practices conducive to recruitment, retention, training, supervision, and evaluation of all employees. These policies and practices shall include the following:

   1. (1) Written job descriptions and titles for each position defining the qualifications, including health requirements, duties, and lines of authority;
   2. (2) Salary scales and provision for salary increases;
   3. (3) A description of employee benefits, including provision for paid annual leave, sick leave, holidays, and any other special leaves or benefits;
   4. (4) Provisions that encourage professional growth through supervision, orientation, in-service training, and employee development;
   5. (5) At least an annual evaluation of the work and performance of each employee that includes employee participation in the evaluation process;
   6. (6) Termination procedures for resignation, retirement, or discharge;
   7. (7) A grievance procedure for employees;
   8. (8) Written confidentiality procedures for maintaining personnel records;
   9. (9) A 5-year retention of personnel files after termination for employees who leave the agency; and
   10. (10) Maintenance of a non-discriminatory environment consistent with the State's fair employment practices.

2. B. The agency shall maintain a personnel file for each employee, which includes:

   1. (1) The application for employment, including a record of previous employment and any known disciplinary actions;
   2. (2) A record of the results of screening as required by Regulation .09 of this chapter;
   3. (3) References as required by Regulation .09D of this chapter;
   4. (4) Medical information required in §C of this regulation and documentation of any medical problems of the employee;
   5. (5) Applicable professional credentials or certifications;
   6. (6) Annual performance evaluations;
   7. (7) Training record and conferences attended;
   8. (8) The employee's starting and termination dates; and
   9. (9) Reason for termination.

3. C. Medical Information.

   1. (1) The agency shall obtain a physician's report before an individual's employment or volunteer appointment and every 2 years thereafter for an employee, governing board member, or volunteer who may be in close or frequent contact with children in care or receiving adoption services.
   2. (2) The individual's medical report shall include a risk assessment and the result of any indicated tests performed for tuberculosis, other communicable diseases, and any mental health challenge that would affect an individual’s ability to work with children.
   3. (3) If a medical report documents a potential medical threat to children in care, the chief administrator or president of the governing board shall take appropriate action to protect the children.

4. D. Medical Information.

   1. (1) The agency shall obtain a physician's report before an individual's employment or volunteer appointment and every 2 years thereafter for an employee, governing board member, or volunteer who may be in close or frequent contact with children in care or receiving adoption services.
   2. (2) The individual's medical report shall include a clearance for tuberculosis, communicable diseases, and any mental health challenges that would preclude working with children.
   3. (3) If a medical report documents a potential medical threat to children in care, the chief administrator or president of the governing board shall take appropriate action to protect the children.

Authority: Human Services Article, §2-209 Annotated Code of Maryland
Agency Note: Federal Regulatory Reference: 42 U.S.C. §621 et seq.; 45 CFR 1355—1357

Effective date: January 12, 2001 (27:26 Md. R. 2357)

Regulation .14C amended as an emergency action effective July 1, 2023 (50:15 Md. R. 679); emergency status expired December 28, 2023

Chapter revised effective April 14, 2025 (52:7 Md. R. 321)

Regulation .02B amended effective February 2, 2026 (53:2 Md. R. 61)

Regulation .09 amended effective February 2, 2026 (53:2 Md. R. 61)

Regulation .14A amended effective February 2, 2026 (53:2 Md. R. 61)

Regulation .17 amended effective February 2, 2026 (53:2 Md. R. 61)