The provider or substitute shall:

1. A. Prepare and maintain a written emergency and disaster plan that:

   1. (1) Establishes procedures for:

      1. (a) Evacuating the home, including an evacuation route;
      2. (b) Relocating children to a designated safe site;
      3. (c) Sheltering in place in the event that evacuation is not feasible;
      4. (d) Notifying parents of children in care; and
      5. (e) Addressing the individual needs of children, including children with special needs;

   2. (2) Contains:

      1. (a) The name of, and contact information for, the local emergency operations center;
      2. (b) A list of local emergency services numbers; and
      3. (c) The radio station call sign and frequency for the local Emergency Alert System (EAS);

   3. (3) Is practiced with children at least:

      1. (a) Once per month for fire evacuation purposes;
      2. (b) Twice per year for other emergency and disaster situations; and
      3. (c) If overnight care is provided, at least four times per year when children in overnight care are present; and
   4. (4) Is updated at least annually;

2. B. Post conspicuously a copy of the emergency escape route floor plan:

   1. (1) In or near the approved child care area; and
   2. (2) If overnight care is provided, in each room where a child in care is sleeping;
3. C. Regularly orient children, who are old enough to understand, in procedures to be used in the event of a fire or other emergency requiring escape from the home;
4. D. Train each substitute and, if applicable, the additional adult on the contents of the written emergency and disaster plan required at §A of this regulation;
5. E. In the event of a declared emergency, be prepared to respond as directed by the local emergency management agency through sources of public information;
6. F. During an emergency evacuation or practice, take attendance records and emergency cards out of the home and verify the presence of each child currently in attendance;
7. G. Instruct children in the use of the 9-1-1 telephone number to summon help in an emergency; and

8. H. Meet the following requirements for first aid supplies:

   1. (1) Maintain first aid supplies as the office requires in a location that is readily accessible to the areas of the home approved for child care;
   2. (2) Store first aid supplies in a manner that makes them inaccessible to children in care; and
   3. (3) Bring the first aid supplies along on any activity away from the family child care home.

Authority: Education Article, §§9.5-301—9.5-308, 9.5-310—9.5-312, 9.5-320, and 9.5-321;
General Provisions Article, §4-333; Human Services Article, §1-202; Annotated Code of Maryland
Agency Note: Federal Statutory Reference — Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.);
Pro-Children Act of 1994 (20 U.S.C. §6081 et seq.);
Child Care Development Block Grant (45 CFR Parts 98 and 99 and 42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.);
Social Security Act §418 (42 U.S.C. 618)

Effective date: October 20, 2008 (35:21 Md. R. 1826)

Regulation .01 amended effective April 19, 2010 (37:8 Md. R. 618)

Regulation .01D, F amended effective January 13, 2020 (47:1 Md. R. 12)

Regulation .02 amended as an emergency provision effective August 31, 2023 (50:20 Md. R. 885); amended permanently effective February 5, 2024 (51:2 Md. R. 76)

Regulation .04 amended effective January 13, 2020 (47:1 Md. R. 12)

Regulation .05 amended effective April 19, 2010 (37:8 Md. R. 618)

Regulation .06 amended effective April 29, 2024 (51:8 Md. R. 367)

Regulation .06B amended effective January 13, 2020 (47:1 Md. R. 12)