1. A. A certified foster parent shall accept all restrictions imposed by the agency.

2. B. A certified foster parent shall:

   1. (1) When a foster child's whereabouts are unknown for 2 hours, notify the local law enforcement authority and the agency:

      1. (a) Immediately by phone call; and
      2. (b) Within 48 hours by written report;

   2. (2) Immediately notify the agency of all critical incidents including a foster child's:

      1. (a) Death;
      2. (b) Injury;
      3. (c) Serious illness;
      4. (d) Incarceration; or
      5. (e) Suspected physical abuse, neglect, or mental injury;

   3. (3) Within 48 hours, notify the agency of changes in the foster parent's household, including:

      1. (a) Employment and child care arrangements;
      2. (b) Household composition;
      3. (c) Residence and telephone number;
      4. (d) Health status; and
      5. (e) Stressful conditions which may affect the child's placement;
   4. (4) Obtain approval from the agency for other adults to supervise the child while the foster parent is employed;
   5. (5) Be 21 years old or older;

   6. (6) If 61 years old or older, have adequate physical strength and emotional stability to meet the needs of a child as documented by:

      1. (a) A physician's report; and
      2. (b) The agency child placement worker's assessment; and

   7. (7) Assist in the child's relationship with parents by:

      1. (a) Helping the child visit with parents;
      2. (b) Maintaining respect towards the child's parents; and
      3. (c) Informing the child's parents about events and happenings in the child's daily life.

3. C. A certified foster parent may not:

   1. (1) Unless referred as described in COMAR 07.05.03.05E, accept a child for foster care from any individual or agency other than the agency that certified the foster parent;

   2. (2) Accept a child for foster care who is in State custody if the certified foster parent is employed by:

      1. (a) A local department, child welfare services;
      2. (b) The Department of Juvenile Services;
      3. (c) Maryland Department of Health, Office of Health Care Quality;
      4. (d) Department of Education, Interagency Rates;
      5. (e) Governor's Office on Children, Youth, and Families; or
      6. (f) The Administration;

   3. (3) Be certified as a foster parent by an agency in which the foster parent is:

      1. (a) An agency employee who works in child foster care or adoption service; or
      2. (b) A member of the agency's governing board;
   4. (4) Provide adult care;
   5. (5) Provide independent boarding care;
   6. (6) Accept for care an elderly individual or convalescent related to the foster parent unless the agency documents that the child's care is not affected;

   7. (7) Have, including the certified foster parent's own children, more than:

      1. (a) Six children in care; or
      2. (b) Eight children when caring for a sibling group of foster children;

   8. (8) Have, including the infants of foster children and certified foster parents:

      1. (a) More than two infants; or

      2. (b) More than six children when:

         1. (i) There is an infant in the home, or
         2. (ii) Three children are younger than 6 years old;

   9. (9) Provide child day care except with the Administration's written authorization after review of the certified foster parent according to the following criteria:

      1. (a) The foster parent meets the requirements of this chapter and COMAR 07.04.01;

      2. (b) The foster parent has the physical strength and emotional stability to be responsible for:

         1. (i) The day care of one or more children, and
         2. (ii) Supervision of one or more foster children;
      3. (c) The foster parent's day care of other children does not adversely affect the status or feeling of security of any foster child in the home; and
      4. (d) The foster parent does not provide treatment foster care services; or

   10. (10) Allow the child to be disciplined by:

       1. (a) Corporal punishment;
       2. (b) Deprivation of food, shelter, clothing, care, or emotional support;
       3. (c) Physical restraint;
       4. (d) Isolation; or
       5. (e) Demeaning verbal abuse.

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)