Maryland § 20-101

§ 20-101.

    (a)    In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.

    (b)    (1)    “Agency” means:

            (i)    The Developmental Disabilities Administration in the Department;

            (ii)    The Department;

            (iii)    The Department of Human Services;

            (iv)    The Department of Juvenile Services; and

            (v)    The Behavioral Health Administration in the Department.

        (2)    “Agency” includes the State Superintendent of Schools.

    (c)    “Board” means the State Board for Certification of Residential Child Care Program Professionals.

    (d)    “Central Repository” means the Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

    (e)    “Certificate” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a certificate issued by the Board to practice as a program administrator or as a residential child and youth care practitioner.

    (f)    “Certified program administrator” means, unless the context requires otherwise, an individual who is certified by the Board to practice as a program administrator.

    (g)    “Certified residential child and youth care practitioner” means, unless the context requires otherwise, an individual who is certified by the Board to practice as a residential child and youth care practitioner.

    (h)    “Chief administrator” means the individual, regardless of title, who is appointed by the governing body of a residential child care program as having responsibility for the overall administration of the program.

    (i)    “Child protective services background clearance” means a search by a local department of social services of a central registry established under Title 5, Subtitle 7 of the Family Law Article for information about child abuse and neglect investigations relating to an individual.

    (j)    “Program administrator” means the individual responsible for the day–to–day management and operation of a residential child care program and for assuring the care, treatment, safety, and protection of the children in the residential child care program.

    (k)    (1)    “Residential child and youth care practitioner” means an individual assigned to perform direct responsibilities related to activities of daily living, self–help, and socialization skills in a residential child care program under the direction of a certified program administrator.

        (2)    “Residential child and youth care practitioner” does not include an individual assigned to perform direct responsibilities related to activities of daily living, self–help, and socialization skills in a residential child care program licensed by the Developmental Disabilities Administration.

    (l)    (1)    “Residential child care program” means an entity that provides for children 24–hour per day care within a structured set of services and activities that are designed to achieve specific objectives relative to the needs of the children served and that include the provision of food, clothing, shelter, education, social services, health, mental health, recreation, or any combination of these services and activities.

        (2)    “Residential child care program” includes a program:

            (i)    Licensed by:

                1.    The Department;

                2.    The Department of Human Services; or

                3.    The Department of Juvenile Services; and

            (ii)    That is subject to the licensing requirements of the Governor’s Office for Children governing the operations of residential child care programs.