1. A. A certified foster parent may provide care for foster children who are mothers with infants if the agency approves the foster parent in writing for mother-infant foster care.

2. B. The mother-infant foster parent shall meet all requirements of Regulations .04—.07 and .09—.12 of this chapter, and, in addition, provide:

   1. (1) The new mother with:

      1. (a) Sanitary space, table, and plumbing necessary to change diapers,
      2. (b) Competent instruction in the care and nurturing of her infant;
      3. (c) Limits on her social activities to assure that she is responsible for her infant;
      4. (d) Opportunity, encouragement, and structure for the completion of her education;
      5. (e) Encouragement to develop her capacity for and understanding of her independence;
      6. (f) Access to health care for herself;
      7. (g) Reasonable flexibility in providing alternate care for her infant;
      8. (h) Guidance in human sexuality; and
      9. (i) A bed in a room separate from where the infant sleeps, after the infant is 6 months old; and

   2. (2) The infant with:

      1. (a) Protection from physical harm;
      2. (b) Removal from emotional pain;
      3. (c) Access to health care;
      4. (d) Proper food and nutrition;
      5. (e) Physical warmth and nurture;
      6. (f) Protection from disease;
      7. (g) Physical comfort;
      8. (h) A proper sleeping environment in an appropriate crib;
      9. (i) An appropriate feeding schedule;
      10. (j) Regularly changed diapers in a sanitary environment; and
      11. (k) When the infant is 6 months old, a crib or appropriate bed in a room separate from where the mother sleeps.

3. C. The individual certified as a mother-infant foster parent shall:

   1. (1) Before the certified foster parent provides mother-infant foster care, receive:

      1. (a) 20 hours of general training described in Regulation .12C of this chapter, and
      2. (b) An additional 4 hours of training addressing foster care services provided to a mother who is a foster child;

   2. (2) Annually receive:

      1. (a) 2 hours of training which deals specifically with mother-infant foster care, and
      2. (b) 6 hours of training described in Regulation .12D of this chapter; and
   3. (3) Be interested in providing young mothers with structure and guidance.

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

Regulation .09C amended effective September 30, 2013 (40:19 Md. R. 1543)

Regulation .13A amended effective September 30, 2013 (40:19 Md. R. 1543); February 2, 2026 (53:2 Md. R. 61)

Regulation .14A amended effective September 30, 2013 (40:19 Md. R. 1543)

Regulation .15A, D amended effective September 30, 2013 (40:19 Md. R. 1543)

Regulation .17B amended effective September 30, 2013 (40:19 Md. R. 1543)