3602

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 634

(2) A PROVIDER AN A PROVIDER'S ASSISTANT,

WORKING TOGETHER, MAY NOT CARE FOR MORE THAN 4 CHILDREN
UNDER 2 YEARS OF AGE NOR MORE THAN 12 CHILDREN OF ANY AGE AT
ANY GIVEN TIME.

(3) (2) THE PROVIDER'S OWN CHILDREN, AND THE
CHILDREN OF THE PROVIDER'S ASSISTANT, UNDER THE AGE OF 2
YEARS SHALL BE COUNTED AS CHILDREN SERVED FOR THE PURPOSES
OF THIS SUBTITLE.

(3) IF THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES THAT THE GROUP
SIZE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION ARE
UNSUITABLE FOR A PARTICULAR FAMILY DAY CARE HOME, THE
DEPARTMENT MAY DECREASE THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN PERMITTED IN
CARE AT THAT FAMILY DAY CARE HOME.

(C)  THE DEPARTMENT SHALL IMPLEMENT A SYSTEM OF
REGISTRATION FOR FAMILY DAY CARE HOMES. THE PURPOSE OF
REGISTRATION SHALL BE TO:

(1)  PROTECT THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF
CHILDREN WHILE THEY ARE IN FAMILY DAY CARE;

(2)  IDENTIFY FAMILY DAY CARE HOMES AND PROVIDE
BASIC TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CHILD CARE INFORMATION TO
PROVIDERS; AND

(3)  MINIMIZE THE REGULATORY RIGIDITY OFTEN
ASSOCIATED WITH LICENSURE.

(D) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS
SUBSECTION, A FAMILY DAY CARE HOME MAY NOT OPERATE UNLESS IT
IS REGISTERED.

(2) A FAMILY DAY CARE HOME IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE
REGISTERED IF THE PROVIDER:

(I)  IS RELATED TO EACH CHILD BY BLOOD OR
MARRIAGE;

(II)  IS A FRIEND OF EACH CHILD'S PARENTS
OR LEGAL GUARDIAN AND THE CARE IS PROVIDED ON AN OCCASIONAL
BASIS; OR

(III)  HAS RECEIVED THE CARE OF THE CHILD
FROM A CHILD PLACEMENT AGENCY LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR
BY A LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.

(E) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS
PERTAINING TO THE REGISTRATION OF FAMILY DAY CARE HOMES.

(2) AS APPLICABLE AND TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE,
THE REGULATIONS SHALL BE UNIFORM WITH THE REGULATIONS
ADOPTED BY OTHER STATE AGENCIES AS THEY RELATE TO OTHER
TYPES OF DAY CARE.