reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Education Code Ann. §  9.5-207 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Education|Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education|Title 9.5 - Division of Early Childhood Development|Subtitle 2 - State Early Childhood Advisory Council|Section 9.5-207 - Resignation of Members

    (a)    A member of the Council appointed by the Governor who fails to attend at least 50% of the regularly scheduled meetings of the Council during any consecutive 12–month period shall be considered to have resigned.    (b)    (1)    On or before January 15 of each calendar year, the chair of the Council shall forward to the Governor:            (i)    The name of any member considered to have resigned under subsection (a) of this section; and            (ii)    A statement describing the member’s history of attendance during the preceding 12–month period.        (2)    Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, after receiving the chair’s notice, the Governor shall appoint a successor for the remainder of the term of the resigning member.        (3)    If a member has been unable to attend meetings for reasons satisfactory to the Governor, the Governor may waive the resignation.
MD. Education Code Ann. §  9.5-208 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Education|Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education|Title 9.5 - Division of Early Childhood Development|Subtitle 2 - State Early Childhood Advisory Council|Section 9.5-208 - Duties

    (a)    The Council shall:        (1)    Conduct a periodic statewide needs assessment concerning the quality and availability of early childhood education and development programs and services for children from birth to school entry, including:            (i)    The availability of high–quality prekindergarten services for low–income children in the State;            (ii)    Health–related barriers to school readiness and early childhood educational success; and            (iii)    An assessment of the availability of high–quality early childhood education and development programs that serve children with and without disabilities together;        (2)    Identify opportunities for, and barriers to, collaboration and coordination among federally funded and State–funded child development, child care, and early childhood education programs;        (3)    Assess the capacity and effectiveness of 2–year and 4–year public and private institutions of higher education in the State toward supporting the development of early childhood educators, including the extent to which the institutions have articulation agreements, professional development and career advancement plans, and practice or internships for students to spend time in a Head Start or prekindergarten program;        (4)    Make recommendations:            (i)    For increasing the overall participation of children in existing federal, State, and local child care and early childhood education programs, including outreach to underrepresented and special populations;            (ii)    Regarding the establishment of a unified data collection system for public early childhood education and development programs and services throughout the State;            (iii)    Regarding statewide professional development and career advancement plans for early childhood educators in the State; and            (iv)    For improvements to State early learning standards and how to undertake efforts to develop high–quality comprehensive early learning standards, as appropriate;        (5)    Hold public hearings and provide an opportunity for public comment on the activities described in items (1) through (4) of this subsection; and        (6)    Perform any other duties that may be requested by the Governor.    (b)    (1)    On or before December 1, 2015, the Council shall submit to the Governor, the State Superintendent of Schools, and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly, a statewide strategic report on the activities described in subsection (a)(1) through (4) of this section.        (2)    After submission of the report required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Council shall continue to meet periodically to review implementation of the report’s recommendations and any changes in State and local needs after submission of the report.
MD. Education Code Ann. §  9.5-301 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Education|Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education|Title 9.5 - Division of Early Childhood Development|Subtitle 3 - Family Child Care Homes and Large Family Child Care Homes|Section 9.5-301 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Child care provider” means the adult who has primary responsibility for the operation of a family child care home or a large family child care home.    (c)    “Direct Grant Fund” means the Family Child Care Provider Direct Grant Fund.    (d)    “Family child care” means the care given to a child under the age of 13 years or to any developmentally disabled person under the age of 21 years, in place of parental care for less than 24 hours a day, in a residence other than the child’s residence, for which the child care provider is paid.    (e)    “Family child care home” means a residence in which family child care is provided for up to eight children.    (f)    “Family child care provider” means an individual who cares for children in a registered family child care home or a registered large family child care home.    (g)    “Large family child care home” means a residence in which family child care is provided for at least nine children, but not more than 12 children.    (h)    “Unregistered family child care home” means a residence in which family child care is provided and in which the child care provider:        (1)    Has not obtained a certificate of registration from the Department;        (2)    Is not related by blood or marriage to each child in the provider’s care;        (3)    Is not a friend of each child’s parents or legal guardian and is providing care on a regular basis; and        (4)    Has not received the care of the child from a child placement agency licensed by the Department of Human Services or by a local department of social services.
MD. Education Code Ann. §  9.5-302 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Education|Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education|Title 9.5 - Division of Early Childhood Development|Subtitle 3 - Family Child Care Homes and Large Family Child Care Homes|Section 9.5-302 - Registration System

    (a)    The Department shall implement a system of registration for family child care homes and large family child care homes.    (b)    The purpose of registration of family child care homes and large family child care homes is to:        (1)    Protect the health, safety, and welfare of children while they are in family child care;        (2)    Identify family child care homes and large family child care homes;        (3)    Provide basic technical assistance and child care information to child care providers; and        (4)    Minimize the regulatory rigidity often associated with licensing.    (c)    The system of registration is intended to promote a high degree of flexibility in the regulation of family child care homes and large family child care homes while assuring the health and safety of children who are cared for in family child care homes and large family child care homes.
MD. Education Code Ann. §  9.5-304 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Education|Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education|Title 9.5 - Division of Early Childhood Development|Subtitle 3 - Family Child Care Homes and Large Family Child Care Homes|Section 9.5-304 - Registration Required; Advertisement; Violation

    (a)    Except as otherwise provided in this section, a family child care home or large family child care home may not operate unless it is registered.    (b)    A family child care home is not required to be registered if the child care provider:        (1)    Is related to each child by blood or marriage;        (2)    Is a friend of each child’s parents or legal guardian and the care is provided on an occasional basis; or        (3)    Has received the care of the child from a child placement agency licensed by the Department of Human Services or by a local department of social services.    (c)    (1)    A person may not advertise a family child care home, large family child care home, or family child care service unless the family child care home or large family child care home is registered under the provisions of this subtitle.        (2)    An advertisement for a family child care home, large family child care home, or family child care service shall state:            (i)    That the family child care home or large family child care home is registered with the Department; and            (ii)    The registration number issued to the family child care home or large family child care home by the Department.        (3)    An employee of the Department charged with the investigation and enforcement of child care regulations, the State Fire Marshal, a deputy State fire marshal, a special assistant State fire marshal, or a local fire marshal may visit the home of a child care provider, and the employee of the Department may serve a civil citation without any other evidence of unregistered family child care if:            (i)    The child care provider advertises a family child care home or large family child care home that is not registered under the provisions of this subtitle;            (ii)    The Department sends a warning letter to the child care provider; and            (iii)    The child care provider:                1.    Does not respond to the Department within 10 business days after the Department sends the warning letter; or                2.    Responds to the Department in a manner that does not adequately address the charge in the warning letter.        (4)    The State Fire Marshal, a deputy State fire marshal, a special assistant State fire marshal, or a local fire marshal who visits a child care center under paragraph (3) of this subsection may take any action authorized under § 6–316 of the Public Safety Article, the State Fire Prevention Code, or a local fire prevention code.    (d)    An employee of the Department charged with the investigation and enforcement of child care regulations may serve a civil citation to a person found in violation of this section.
MD. Education Code Ann. §  9.5-305 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Education|Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education|Title 9.5 - Division of Early Childhood Development|Subtitle 3 - Family Child Care Homes and Large Family Child Care Homes|Section 9.5-305 - Group Size

    (a)    For purposes of this subtitle, a child care provider’s own children under the age of 2 years shall be counted as children served.    (b)    (1)    In a family child care home:            (i)    There may not be more than:                1.    8 children in care at any given time; and                2.    4 children under the age of 2 years; and            (ii)    There shall be an adult to child ratio of at least 1 adult to every 2 children under the age of 2 years.        (2)    In a large family child care home:            (i)    There may not be more than 12 children in care at any given time; and            (ii)    There shall be a limit on the number of children under the age of 2 years and an adult to child ratio that comply with regulations adopted by the Department under § 9.5–303 of this subtitle.    (c)    If the Department determines that the group size provisions of subsection (b) of this section are unsuitable for a particular family child care home or large family child care home, the Department may decrease the number of children permitted to be in care at that family child care home or large family child care home.
MD. Education Code Ann. §  9.5-306 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Education|Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education|Title 9.5 - Division of Early Childhood Development|Subtitle 3 - Family Child Care Homes and Large Family Child Care Homes|Section 9.5-306 - Revocation of Registration; Appeal; Injunction of Unregistered Operation

    (a)    A registration under this subtitle may be revoked, a child care provider may appeal from the revocation, and the operation of an unregistered family child care home may be enjoined.    (b)    (1)    Revocation, appeal, or injunction under this subtitle shall be in accordance with Subtitle 1 of this title.        (2)    Subject to paragraph (1) of this subsection, the State Superintendent or the State Superintendent’s designee shall exercise the authority granted to the Department.
MD. Education Code Ann. §  9.5-307 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Education|Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education|Title 9.5 - Division of Early Childhood Development|Subtitle 3 - Family Child Care Homes and Large Family Child Care Homes|Section 9.5-307 - Search Warrant -- Unregistered Family Child Care Homes

    (a)    The State Superintendent or other authorized official or employee of the Department may apply to a judge of the District Court or a circuit court for an administrative search warrant to enter any unregistered family child care home to conduct any inspection required or authorized by law to determine compliance with the provisions of this subtitle relating to family child care homes.    (b)    (1)    The application for an administrative search warrant shall be in writing and signed and sworn by the State Superintendent and shall particularly describe the place, structure, premises, or records to be inspected and the nature, scope, and purpose of the inspection to be conducted.        (2)    Before the filing of an administrative search warrant application with a court, the application shall be approved by the Attorney General of Maryland as to its legality in both form and substance under the standards and criteria of this section and a statement to this effect shall be included as part of the application.    (c)    A judge of a District Court or circuit court in the jurisdiction in which the unregistered family child care home is located may issue an administrative search warrant on finding that:        (1)    The Department has reasonably sought and been denied access to an unregistered family child care home for the purpose of making an inspection;        (2)    The requirements of subsection (b) of this section are met;        (3)    The official or employee of the Department is authorized or required by law to make an inspection of the unregistered family child care home for which the warrant is sought; and        (4)    The Department has shown probable cause for the issuance of the warrant by specific evidence:            (i)    Of an existing violation of § 9.5–304 of this subtitle; and            (ii)    That the health, safety, and welfare of the children in the unregistered family child care home are substantially threatened due to conditions in the unregistered family child care home.    (d)    The administrative search warrant issued under this section shall specify the place, structure, premises, or records to be inspected and shall be enforceable during operating hours for a period not exceeding 15 days from the date of issuance.    (e)    (1)    An administrative search warrant issued under this section authorizes the State Superintendent and other officials or employees of the Department or the Department of Human Services to enter the specified property to perform the inspection and other functions authorized by law to determine compliance with the provisions of this subtitle relating to family child care homes and large family child care homes.        (2)    The inspection may not exceed the limits specified in the warrant.
MD. Education Code Ann. §  9.5-308 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Education|Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education|Title 9.5 - Division of Early Childhood Development|Subtitle 3 - Family Child Care Homes and Large Family Child Care Homes|Section 9.5-308 - Informational Pamphlet

    (a)    The Department shall prepare and, as needed, update an informational pamphlet for parents of children in family child care.    (b)    The pamphlet shall contain:        (1)    An outline of family child care regulations;        (2)    A description of parental rights and responsibilities;        (3)    A description of complaint procedures; and        (4)    The address and telephone number of the local department.    (c)    The Department shall make the pamphlet available to child care providers for distribution to parents.
MD. Education Code Ann. §  9.5-309 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Education|Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education|Title 9.5 - Division of Early Childhood Development|Subtitle 3 - Family Child Care Homes and Large Family Child Care Homes|Section 9.5-309 - Child Abuse

    (a)    Upon receipt of the notification required under § 5–705.3 of the Family Law Article, the State Superintendent’s designee shall convene, either in person or by telephone, a multidisciplinary team to coordinate procedures in accordance with the agreement developed under § 5–706(f) of the Family Law Article to be followed in investigating and otherwise responding to the report.    (b)    The multidisciplinary team shall be chaired by the State Superintendent’s designee and shall include:        (1)    Representatives of the local department and law enforcement agency that are investigating the report under § 5–706 of the Family Law Article;        (2)    Representation from the office of the local State’s Attorney; and        (3)    Appropriate medical, including mental health, expertise.    (c)    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the members of the multidisciplinary team shall share information necessary to carry out the team’s responsibility under this section.    (d)    Any information shared by the multidisciplinary team shall be confidential and may be disclosed only in accordance with the provisions of §§ 1–201, 1–202, 1–204, and 1–205 of the Human Services Article.    (e)    Upon request, the Department of State Police shall provide technical assistance to a local law enforcement agency which is investigating a report of suspected child abuse concerning a family child care home or large family child care home.
MD. Education Code Ann. §  9.5-310 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Education|Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education|Title 9.5 - Division of Early Childhood Development|Subtitle 3 - Family Child Care Homes and Large Family Child Care Homes|Section 9.5-310 - Lead Poisoning Screen

    Within 30 days after a child under the age of 6 years enters care in a family child care home or large family child care home, a parent or guardian of the child shall provide to the family child care home or large family child care home evidence of an appropriate screening for lead poisoning. This evidence may include documentation from the child’s continuing care health care provider that the child was screened through an initial questionnaire and was determined not to be at risk for lead poisoning.
MD. Education Code Ann. §  9.5-311 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Education|Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education|Title 9.5 - Division of Early Childhood Development|Subtitle 3 - Family Child Care Homes and Large Family Child Care Homes|Section 9.5-311 - Penalty -- Criminal

    A person who violates § 9.5–304(a) of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to:        (1)    A fine not exceeding $1,500 for the first violation; and        (2)    A fine not exceeding $2,500 for a second or subsequent violation.
MD. Education Code Ann. §  9.5-312 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Education|Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education|Title 9.5 - Division of Early Childhood Development|Subtitle 3 - Family Child Care Homes and Large Family Child Care Homes|Section 9.5-312 - Penalty -- Civil

    (a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section and subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, a person who violates any provision of this subtitle or any rule or regulation adopted under this subtitle is subject to a civil penalty imposed in a civil action not exceeding $1,000 for each violation.    (b)    (1)    A person who violates § 9.5–304(a) or (c) of this subtitle and is served a civil citation under that section is subject to a civil penalty as follows:            (i)    $250 for the first violation;            (ii)    $500 for the second violation; and            (iii)    $1,000 for the third and each subsequent violation.        (2)    Any money collected under this subsection shall be deposited into the General Fund of the State.        (3)    Any person served with a citation under this subsection may appeal the citation to the Office of Administrative Hearings in accordance with § 10–205 of the State Government Article.    (c)    Each day a violation occurs is a separate violation under this section.    (d)    The total amount of civil penalties imposed in an action under this section may not exceed $5,000.
MD. Education Code Ann. §  9.5-313 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Education|Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education|Title 9.5 - Division of Early Childhood Development|Subtitle 3 - Family Child Care Homes and Large Family Child Care Homes|Section 9.5-313 - Construction

    This subtitle may not be construed to impair or limit the authority granted to the Department of Human Services, the Department, or the Maryland Department of Health under any other provision of the Code unless that provision necessarily is inconsistent with this subtitle.
MD. Education Code Ann. §  9.5-314 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Education|Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education|Title 9.5 - Division of Early Childhood Development|Subtitle 3 - Family Child Care Homes and Large Family Child Care Homes|Section 9.5-314 - Family Child Care Provider Direct Grant Fund

    (a)    There is a Family Child Care Provider Direct Grant Fund administered by the Department.    (b)    To administer grants to family child care providers, the Department may contract with State agencies and nonprofit organizations.
MD. Education Code Ann. §  9.5-315 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Education|Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education|Title 9.5 - Division of Early Childhood Development|Subtitle 3 - Family Child Care Homes and Large Family Child Care Homes|Section 9.5-315 - Approval of Direct Grants

    (a)    The State Superintendent may delegate the authority to approve direct grants to any board that exists or may be created within the Department.    (b)    A grant made under this subtitle shall be awarded as a reimbursement for the expenses incurred by a family child care provider to comply with State and local regulations.
MD. Education Code Ann. §  9.5-316 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Education|Division II - Elementary and Secondary Education|Title 9.5 - Division of Early Childhood Development|Subtitle 3 - Family Child Care Homes and Large Family Child Care Homes|Section 9.5-316 - Use of Direct Grant Funds

    (a)    The funds shall consist of:        (1)    Money specifically appropriated for the Direct Grant Fund; or        (2)    Any other money made available to the Direct Grant Fund.    (b)    The Direct Grant Fund shall be used to:        (1)    Pay all expenses and disbursements authorized by the Department for administering the Direct Grant Fund; and        (2)    Make grants to family child care providers.    (c)    In making grants under this subtitle, consideration shall be given to:        (1)    Geographic distribution;        (2)    Community need; and        (3)    Family income, with priority given to those families with the lowest income.    (d)    The amount of State general funds expended for grants to family child care providers from the Direct Grant Fund may not exceed $50,000 in each year.