ICPC State Pages
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About the ICPC
The Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (AAICPC) was established in 1974 and consists of members from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The AAICPC has authority under ICPC to "promulgate rules and regulations to carry out more effectively the terms and provisions of this compact." The AAICPC obtains its Secretariat Services, as an affiliate of the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA).
For more information, please visit the AAICPC website.
Contact the AAICPC
American Public Human Services Association
1133 Nineteenth Street, NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 682-0100
fax: (202) 289-6555
Web Manager: Carla Fults [cfults@aphsa.org]
Click on a state to see it's page:
Maryland
-
Adoption
- Age of Majority
- Appeals
- Border Agreements
- Criminal Background Checks/Abuse and Neglect Registry
- Custody Matters
- NON ICPC - Consultants/Specialists
- Definitions
- Education - Public Education Costs
- Financial Plans, Medicaid, IV-E, Daycare, Payments
- Foster Care
- Home Studies (Adoption/Foster Care/Kinship/Parent/Relative)
- ICPC Processing
- Licensing/Certification/Approval
- Parental Placements
- Relative Placements
- Residential Treatment Centers/Facilities
- Supervision/Reports/Guidelines
- Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)
Compact Administrators
| Compact Administrator Tennille Thomas, DHS, SSA |
Deputy Compact Administrator Charles Gentemann, DCA, ICPC/ICAMA |
Consultants
| ICPC Specialist (A-H) Della Williams, ICPC/ICAMA Specialist, E - K cases Odetta Squire-Bulluck, ICPC/ICAMA Specialist, L - Ri cases |
Administrative Assistant (A-L) Administrative Assistant
|
| ICPC Specialist (I-Q) ICPC/ICAMA Specialist, Ro - Z cases Renee McDonald, ICPC/ICAMA Specialist, A - D cases
|
Administrative Assistant (M-Z) Dawn Gray-Weeks, Administrative Assistant |
| ICPC Specialist (R-Z) Sherry Jones, VAS III, ICJ Commissioner, Supervisor, ICJ Unit, Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) Latoya Oliver, ICPC Specialist, ICPC Article VI (Delinquency) Residentials, A-Z, Out-going only |
Mailing Address
| Regular Mailing Address Department of Human Services ICPC Article VI (Delinquent Juveniles) Residential referrals, A - Z (Out-going from MD referrals only) |
Federal Express Address Department of Human Services (DHS) |
Useful Telephone Numbers
| Child Abuse Hotline In State: (410) 767-7112 or-7707 or -7561 |
Juvenile Compact Office Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) |
| Mental Health Compact Office NA |
Useful Websites
General Iinformation
Co-Located Compacts - ICPC, ICAMA, ICJ
Adoption
Independent /Private
Independent/Private Adoptive Placements:
Maryland permits private attorney, private agency and/or independent adoptions
| Adoption Type | Yes/No |
|---|---|
| Private Attorney | No |
| Private Agency | Yes |
| Independent | Yes |
Adoption Statute-Non-Agency; Independent; Private Adoptions:
- MD-ICPC "Requirement Page" and COMAR
- MD-ICPC "Requirement Page" and COMAR
Public
Public Adoptive Placements-Requirements
- ICPC Annotated Code 5-601 through 5-611 and COMAR 07.02.25.05 (e.g., Foster Home Approval).
INDEPENDENT / PRIVATE / PUBLIC
The following information applies to independent, private and public adoptions
Adoption Assistance
Adoption assistance payments begins
- After the adoption is finalized
Sending State Adoption Subsidy Payments (Guidelines)
- Per negotiated, contracted subsidy.
Special Needs
Maryland definition of "Special Needs"
- See COMAR (Code of Maryland Regulations)
Finalization
Adoption may be finalized in another state:
- Yes
Before finalization can occur in Maryland, child must be in adoptive placement:
- 6 months
- Other
6 months. The 6 months may include the placement time period (under which post-placement services have been provided) under an initial Foster placement before home study was upgraded to an Adoptive placement via Adoption home study referral For example, if 4 mos. Foster placement period occurs, then Adoption home study is later approved, the MD CPA (public or private Child Placing Agency) may comment on readiness of family to adopt the child after 6 mos. total placement period has elapsed and Adoptive placement has been approved by ICPC. Again, 4 mos. Foster placement combined with 2 mos. Adoptive placement totals an elapsed placement period of 6 mos. 6 mos. is the minimum placement period before permanency finalization assessment may be made by a CPA.
Statutory code/cite for Adoption Petition
Annotated Code of Maryland, Family Law, COMAR and ICPC Articles III, V and ICPC Regulation #11.
Court Jurisdiction for Adoption Cases
Negotiable from Maryland's perspective.
Home Study (Adoptions)
Statutory code/cite for the Adoptive Home Studies:
As above - ICPC, Maryland COMAR and Maryland Family Law.
Prospective adoptive parents permitted to pay for a pre-adoptive home study
- Yes
Prospective adoptive parents permitted to pay for a pre-adoptive home study
- Private Adoptions: Yes
- Independent Adoptions: Yes
Age of Majority
State's age of majority
- 18 years of age unless the court extends jurisdiction to age 21 whenever necessary for the child's protection.
Statutory code/cite and the age of majority:
- Whenever the court exercises the option of extending its jurisdiction to age 21, age of majority is extended to age 21. See ICPC Training Manual, XXI-3.
Services (after Age of Majority)
As the Receiving State, the following services will be provided/continued at the age of majority:
- Medicaid
Appeals
Appeals permitted:
- Home Study: Yes
- ICPC Decision: No
Border Agreements
Border Agreements permitted:
- Yes
Current Border Agreements with:
- District of Columbia
Criminal Background Checks/Abuse and Neglect Registry
Home Studies which Require Criminal / Perpetrator Record Checks
Maryland requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:
- Foster Care
- Relative Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Foster-Adopt
- Adoption
- Parent
Criminal Background Screening
The following methods are used to capture fingerprints to conduct criminal records checks/and abuse and neglect.
- Live Scan or other computerized technology
- Finger Print cards
- Other, specified below
Live Scan is available on a limited basis across the State. Finger Print card processing is available State-wide.
Criminal background checks/screening via Live Scan or other computerized technology are offered at the following levels:
- State
- Local
- Other, specified below
If the FBI CJIS report is preliminarily postive for a past or pending disposition, the FBI’s national repository report from Clarksburg, WV is also needed (see http://www.FBI.gov), however, the applicant’s consent & release of same report to the MD Local DSS is needed to complete the home study - these reports cannot be sent directly by the FBI to the MD Local.
Background Screening
State or Local Criminal Record Checks Requirements/Process:
- State and FBI CJIS (Criminal Justice Information System) reports are required. US DOJ, FBI-CJIS (from Clarksburg, WV) via the applicant is needed only when a prelminarily positive FBI report is received.
Applicant will not be approved if the person has committed any of the following misdemeanor or felony offenses:
Essentially any violent felony convictions or prohibited convictions per the Social Security Act sec.471[42 u.s.c. 671)(9) or any felony convictions that could be detrimental to the safety of a child or valid court order prohibiting contact with children.
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
Maryland requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))
| Federal | State | Local | ANR | NR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Care | y | y | y | ||
| Relative | y | y | y | ||
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | ||
| Adoption | y | y | y | ||
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | ||
| Parent | y | y | y |
Wait Time for Criminal Records Results
Wait time for fingerprint results are:
Live Scan or other technology
- State: 4-7 days
- Local/County: Not Offered
Manually - Fingerprint Card
- State: 61-180 days
- Local/County: Not Offered
Verification of Criminal Records Results
- Actual results/information contained in the Criminal Background
Definitions
Maryland Specific Definitions
If the following terms are defined differently than below (General Definitions), please provide definitions for the following types of placements as defined within your state. If definitions in your state are the same, please type the word same in the space provided. (only 250 characters per answer will be accepted).
Adoption
Same
Foster-Adopt
Same
Foster Care
Same
Parent
Same
Relative
Same
Relative Foster Care
Same
General Definitions
Adoption
is the legal act of permanently placing a child with a parent or parents other than the birth parents. Adoption results in the severing of the parental responsibilities and rights of the biological parents and the placing of those responsibilities and rights onto the adoptive parents. After the finalization of an adoption, there is no legal difference between biological and adopted children.
The types of adoptions permitted by each state are governed by state law:
- Private Agency - are adoptions facilitated by a private licensed agency (i.e. domestic and international).
- Independent - are adoptions facilitated by an attorney, other intermediary, or adoption facilitator as defined by state law.
- Public - are adoptions facilitated by a public state or local agency and involve children who are in the custody of a state/local government agency.
Days
means “Calendar” (not business) days.
Foster - Adopt
is an individual who has been approved as a licensed foster parent and who has made an offer of an adoption commitment if the child becomes legally free.
Foster Care (Provider)
is any person other than a natural or adoptive parent with whom a child is in the care, custody, or guardianship of the State Child Welfare Agency and placed by said division, or with its approval for temporary or long-term care but shall not include any person with whom a child is placed for the purpose of adoption. Foster home means and includes private residences that are licensed, or specialized group homes.
Foster Care Maintenance Payments
means payments to cover the cost of (and the cost of providing) food, clothing, shelter, daily supervision, school supplies, a child's personal incidentals, liability insurance with respect to a child, and reasonable travel to the child's home for visitation. In the case of institutional care, such term shall include the reasonable costs of administration and operation of such institution as are necessarily required to provide the items described in the preceding sentence.
Legal Risk Adoptions
A legal risk adoption, or a legal risk placement, is one where a prospective adoptive child is placed in your home although the child is not yet legally free to be adopted.
License/certification/approval
means approval and or certification granted by the authority of a state regulatory agency.
Live Scan
is an electronic computerized technology which digitally scans fingerprints and provides immediate transmission of fingerprint records to the Department of Justice, FBI or other authorized receiving agency.
Parent
is a biological, adoptive parent or legal guardian as determined by applicable State law and is responsible for the care, custody and control of a child or upon whom there is legal duty for such care.
Relative
is a birth or adoptive brother, sister, stepparent, stepbrother, stepsister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, niece, nephew, as well as relatives of half blood or marriage and those denoted by the prefixes of grand and great including grand parent or great grandparent, or as defined in your state statute for the purpose of foster and or adoptive placements.
Relative-Foster Care
refers to a person who meets the definition of a relative as noted above and has been approved as a licensed foster parent.
Public Education Costs
Maryland charges for public education:
- Yes
Maryland charges the sending state for specialized services (occupational, speech therapy)
- Yes
Maryland charges the Sending State to obtain assessments/diagnostics and/or services for education purposes:
- Other: Yes, if subject to above described MD annotated code 4-122(E)(1) for child or is a cost associated with proposed placement resource's home study (e.g., needed substance abuse evaluation) and is not a usual component of a standard home study.
General Comments
Tuition Reimbursement in Maryland
With the common authority of ICPC Article V shared by all Compact members concerning a sending agency’s continued financial responsibility for its child placed into another State, Maryland statute 4-122 may require tuition reimbursement from the sending party on behalf of a child placed in Maryland for school attendance, in all but approved adoptive placements in Maryland. When a Maryland county Board of Education invokes statute 4-122, it will require tuition reimbursement from the sending State. When this occurs the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) will independently contact the sending State’s Department of Education (or its equivalent) regarding the need for tuition reimbursement. This is not a matter subject to control by the Maryland Local Department of Social Services or the Maryland ICPC Office. The Maryland ICPC Office will only provide this statement that tuition reimbursement may be required per the Maryland statute, however, approved Adoptive placements are exempt from this requirement, per statute 4-122.
Financial Plans, Medicaid, IV-E, Daycare, Payments
FINANCIAL PLANS
Maryland permits a child in the legal custody of a Sending State to apply for and receive the following state administered assistance/benefits in Maryland as the Receiving State.
- Medicaid
- TANF Child Only
- TANF–Family
- Kin-Guardianship - State
As the Sending state, following are considered as a viable financial/medical plan when making interstate placements:
- Applying for TANF - (Family Income Based)
- Applying for TANF - Child Only
- Title IV-E Foster Care
- Title IV-E Adoption Assistance
- Sending State Adoption Assistance
- Kin-Guardianship - Fostering Connections (IV-E)
- Kin-Guardianship - State
- Medicaid
- Sending State’s Coverage for Medical Assistance
As the Receiving state, following are considered a viable financial/medical plan when receiving interstate placements:
- Applying for TANF - (Family Income Based)
- Applying for TANF - Child Only
- Title IV-E Foster Care
- Title IV-E Adoption Assistance
- Sending State Adoption Assistance
- Kin-Guardianship - Fostering Connections (IV-E)
- Kin-Guardianship - State
- Medicaid
- Sending State’s Coverage for Medical Assistance
MEDICAID / MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
The state will ensure medical coverage benefits and services can be received through benefits, programs and providers in the Receiving State before placing a child across state lines.
- Other: (No) Ideally, yes, but this is not always possible. The proposed plan should at outset describe the plan understood to be workable by reasonable planning (IV-E and TANF-only plans, thorough before-hand planning), but should indicate readiness to assume "sending agency" ICPC Article V(a) responsibility should proposed plan fail, or plan to withdraw the referral once realized unworkable and prior to placing the child.
Medicaid
The receiving state is responsible for the Medicaid benefits of children eligible under Title IV-E. Otherwise, the responsibility is with the sending state (see Foster Care Payments).
- Other: (Yes)Maryland offers: 1. IV-E MA in certified foster or adoption home study cases where child is IV-E eligible and monthly foster care payment made to foster or adoptive resource parent; 2. TANF child-only grant Maryland MA to child; 3. Categorically MA eligible SSI receipient child; 4. possibly-involved Federally Qualified Health Centers.
WAITING PERIOD FOR MEDICAID BENEFITS
Waiting period to apply for benefit assistance:
- Other:
Resource applicant must make application at Local DSS Office with appropriate supporting documentation.
Waiting period to receive benefits for a child who is under the legal custody/legal jurisdiction of the sending state:
- Other: Resource applicant must apply on child's behalf at Local DSS Office with appropriate supporting documentation.
STATE MEDICAL INSURANCE/COVERAGE
As the Sending State, Maryland will provide medical coverage if the child is NOT IV-E eligible
- Yes: With Maryland as the sending State, If TANF child-only grant MA is not an option in the receiving State for the child, then Maryland sending agency must be liable for all medical care costs, per ICPC Article V (a).
As the Sending State, Maryland will permit Placement Resources to apply for medical benefits in the Receiving State or use their personal insurance.
- Yes
PAYMENTS MADE
TANF Payments
- May apply for this on behalf of the sent child in the receiving State of Maryland.
Adoption assistance payments begin:
- At the time the child is placed.
Foster Care Payments
Foster Care board rate payments begin once child is placed in an ICPC-approved Foster placement.
Special Education Payments
- Other: Yes, if required by the particular receiving State's Board of Education jurisdiction and not an exempted Adoptive placement.
Daycare Payments
- Yes
- Other
Yes, sending State of MD pays for Day Care costs for its MD children placed in the receiving State, if required, per ICPC Article V (a). MD requires other sending States to cover the Day Care costs for its children placed in the receiving State of MD.
Kinship Program
Yes, if necessary and negotiated. Otherwise, Kin or Relative placements in Maryland already have access to both TANF and TANF child-only grant Maryalnd MA.
TITLE IV-E
Medicaid - The receiving state is responsible for the Medicaid benefits of children eligible under Title IV-E. Otherwise, the responsibility is with the sending state (see Foster Care Payments).
- Other: (Yes)Maryland offers: 1. IV-E MA in certified foster or adoption home study cases where child is IV-E eligible and monthly foster care payment made to foster or adoptive resource parent; 2. TANF child-only grant Maryland MA to child; 3. Categorically MA eligible SSI receipient child; 4. possibly-involved Federally Qualified Health Centers.
Title IV-E documentation/verification required
- Yes: Yes, if child is both IV-E eligible/reimbursable and the sending State is making monthly Foster Care payments to the placement resource in the receiving State. If, however, child is an SSI recipient, child is categorically eligible for MA in every State, regardless of IV-E status.
Foster Care
RATES (Foster Care)
Foster care rate paid at:
- Sending State’s rate
- Other
The sending State pays its MD rate, as if child had remained in MD, unless a "differential board rate" is appropriate, per MD Policy SSA#11-19 (issued 4/15/2011), COMAR 07.02.11.28 & 07.02.12.15 and Family Law 5-410(c)(3)(i).
Maryland foster care rates:
| Service Level of Care | Amount per day |
|---|---|
| Basic | $835-$850 |
| Moderate | $960-$965 |
| Specialize | $835-$850 |
| Intense | as above |
REQUIREMENTS (Foster Care)
Foster Care Resource Requirements:
- COMAR 07.02.11.28 and 07.02.25.05. ICPC home studies are specific to the child proposed to be placed in the MD home.
Training (Education and Training)
- PRIDE (pre-service foster parent) Training
Home Studies (Adoption/Foster Care/Kinship/Parent/Relative)
Types of Home Studies
Maryland conducts the following types of home studies:
- Relative Care
- Foster Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Parent Care
- Foster- Adopt
- Adoption
- Other
Kinship Care Licensing Standards home study type as requested and qualifying (in Maryland per COMAR 07.02.09 Kinship Care Progrram Standards, effective 12/16/2024 and consistent with federal law 471 (a) (19), (20), (29) of the Social Security Act: 45 CFR 1355.20: 45 CFR 1356.21 (m)).
Maryland designates staff in each county/region to conduct home studies and/or process interstate placements.
- Yes
Maryland considers a home study as current/valid for:
- 1 year
Private Contract Services - Home Study
As the Sending State, Maryland will pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study
- Other: Extremely Rarely, but will have a contract if it does so.
As the Receiving State, Maryland will permit a Sending state to pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study.
- Yes
As the Receiving State, Maryland will accept/update a home study that was not originally conducted by the receiving state or a private contractor acting on behalf of the Receiving State.
- Other: This will vary by case-specific circumstances, such as a Reg. #1 move, but then still require new MD home study.
Prospective adoptive parents permitted to pay for a pre-adoptive home study
- Private Adoptions: Yes
- Independent Adoptions: Yes
DCPS contracts for Purchase of Services with private agencies in other states:
- Yes
Foster Care Home Study
Home study for foster care conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)
- Yes
Parent Home Study
If child has been removed from the parent, Maryland requires a home study evaluation before reunification.
Yes, a home study in the receiving state is required prior to placement and reunification per the ICPC Compact unless per ICPC Reg. #3, 3 (a) the child is being reunified with a parent who was not the subject of abuse or neglect allegations, there is no evidence to suggest that the parent may be unfit, the sending State court has determined ICPC is inapplicable per Reg. #3, number 3 (a) and the court relinquishes jurisdictioin over the child immediately upon placement with the parent.
Non-Custodial Parents
Placements with non-custodial parents are not covered under the ICPC if:
- A court does not have evidence before it that such parent is unfit;
- Does not seek such evidence; and
- Does not retain jurisdiction over the child after the court transfers the child.
Regulation 7 Priority Placement
Maryland performs priority placements:
Yes
A court ordered Priority 7 conducted if the child is in a DCF shelter or foster home for substantial period of time.
Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study) - Public
Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):
- 90 days
Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):
- Other: A preliminary report is provided at 60 days.
Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study) - Private
Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):
- Other: Requests that come to us from private adoption agencies arrive with the completed home study attached. It is not known how long the home studies take to complete, because they are already completed by the time that ICPC becomes involved.
Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):
- Other: Requests that come to us from private adoption agencies arrive with the completed home study attached. It is not known how long the home studies take to complete, because they are already complete by the time that ICPC becomes involved.
Maryland determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:
- Other
The date that the home study is received by the centralized ICPC office.
Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study
| Regular Mail | Express Mail | Overnight Mail | Electronic Mail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Send request for a home study to Receiving State | y | y | ||
| Send home study request to Local office | y | y | ||
| Send home study report to Sending State | y | y |
Criminal Record Checks
Maryland requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:
- Foster Care
- Relative Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Foster-Adopt
- Adoption
- Parent
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
Maryland requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))
| Federal | State | Local | ANR | NR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Care | y | y | y | ||
| Relative | y | y | y | ||
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | ||
| Adoption | y | y | y | ||
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | ||
| Parent | y | y | y |
Wait Time for Criminal Records Results
Wait time for fingerprint results are:
Live Scan or other technology
- State: 4-7 days
- Local/County: Not Offered
Manually - Fingerprint Card
- State: 61-180 days
- Local/County: Not Offered
ICPC Processing And Data Collection
Maryland conducts the following types of home studies:
- Relative Care
- Foster Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Parent Care
- Foster- Adopt
- Adoption
- Other
Kinship Care Licensing Standards home study type as requested and qualifying (in Maryland per COMAR 07.02.09 Kinship Care Progrram Standards, effective 12/16/2024 and consistent with federal law 471 (a) (19), (20), (29) of the Social Security Act: 45 CFR 1355.20: 45 CFR 1356.21 (m)).
ICPC Placement Checklists
| Adoption | Foster | Foster-Adopt | Parent | Relative | Residential | Electronic Transmission Accepted * | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICPC 100A (Placement Request) | y | y | y | y | y | Yes | |
| ICPC – 100 B (if child is in the Receiving State) | y | y | y | y | y | Yes | |
| Home Study Report | y | y | y | y | y | Yes | |
| Court Order | y | y | y | y | y | Yes | |
| Medical Documentation/History | y | y | y | y | y | Yes | |
| Criminal History | y | y | y | y | y | Yes | |
| Criminal Background Check/Verification | y | y | y | y | y | Yes | |
| Education and Training Verification | y | y | Yes | ||||
| Financial/ Medical Plan to support placement | y | y | y | y | y | Yes | |
| Social History/ Case Plan | y | y | y | y | y | Yes | |
| Medical plan to support placement | y | y | y | y | y | Yes | |
| Title IV-E Status | y | y | y | y | y | Yes | |
| Supervisory/ Progress Reports | y | y | y | y | y | Yes |
Date of Receipt - Home Study
Maryland determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:
- Other
The date that the home study is received by the centralized ICPC office.
Maryland designates staff in each county/region to conduct home studies and/or process interstate placements.
- Yes
Private Contract Services - Home Study
As the Sending State, Maryland will pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study
- Other: Extremely Rarely, but will have a contract if it does so.
Criminal Records Checks
Maryland requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:
- Foster Care
- Relative Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Foster-Adopt
- Adoption
- Parent
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
Maryland requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))
| Federal | State | Local | ANR | NR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Care | y | y | y | ||
| Relative | y | y | y | ||
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | ||
| Adoption | y | y | y | ||
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | ||
| Parent | y | y | y |
Mailing Process - Interstate Home Study
Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study
| Regular Mail | Express Mail | Overnight Mail | Electronic Mail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Send request for a home study to Receiving State | y | y | ||
| Send home study request to Local office | y | y | ||
| Send home study report to Sending State | y | y |
Wait/Processing Times
Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study) - Public
Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):
- 90 days
Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):
- Other: A preliminary report is provided at 60 days.
Wait Time for Criminal Records Checks
Wait time for fingerprint results are:
Live Scan or other technology
- State: 4-7 days
- Local/County: Not Offered
Manually - Fingerprint Card
- State: 61-180 days
- Local/County: Not Offered
Wait Time - (License/ Certification/ Approval - Education and Training)
Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:
- 1-3 mos.
Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.
- 3 mos.
Maryland offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:
- As needed
Wait Time for ICPC Decision
| Foster Care | Relative | Relative - Foster Care | Parent | Foster - Adopt | Adoption (Public) |
Adoption (Private) |
Adoption (Independent) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6- 9 months | 6- 9 months | 6- 9 months | 6- 9 months | 6- 9 months | 6- 9 months | 1- 30 days | 1- 30 days |
Data Collection
Maryland collects, tracks and reports interstate data via:
- Manually (By hand)
Maryland collects, tracks and reports interstate home studies via
- Other: Maryland Interstate Data Base System-tracks limited data/information
Licensing/Certification/Approval
Licensing
Dual Licensing state:
- Yes
Maryland uses the following terms to authorize a resource family for foster care and (or) adoption after completion of education and training in state:
- Approve (Adoption)
- Verified (Foster Home)
- Certified
Maryland requires the following types of placement resources to be licensed/approved/certified:
- Foster Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Adoption
- Foster/Adopt
Maryland resource training program is as follows:
- PRIDE (Parents Resource Information Development Education)
Maryland will give full or partial credit for foster care and adoption education and training completed in another state:
- Adoption
Full Credit - Foster Care
Full Credit
Title IV-E documentation/verification required
- Yes: Yes, if child is both IV-E eligible/reimbursable and the sending State is making monthly Foster Care payments to the placement resource in the receiving State. If, however, child is an SSI recipient, child is categorically eligible for MA in every State, regardless of IV-E status.
Requirements (Licensing)
Licensing Requirements
Maryland Foster and Adoption home studies fully comply with all federal regulations for these home studies and for federal IV-E funding purposes. The 100A form specifies which home study type is to be completed, Foster or Adoption (one or the other), per the specific request and permanency plan of the sending State and its sending State ICPC office and sent to the receiving State ICPC office of Maryland. Maryland licensed private adoption agencies and Local DSS Offices certify that a placement resource home is recommended for approval by sending a home study attesting to that, but no "certificates" are issued to this effect for ICPC home studies. The MD-ICPC approved 100A form indicates the date the home may have the child placed into it and the sending State's 100B form indicates the date the child is actually placed into the MD-ICPC-approved home. Annual re-evaluations of the Maryland placement resource home (or Recons) are completed on an annual basis by the MD agency/LDSS for continued re-aassessment/re-approval purposes of the home's use for Interstate placement of the child for whom the home was studied initially.
Foster Care Placements
No Information Provided
Wait Time - (License/ Certification/ Approval - Education and Training)
Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:
- 1-3 mos.
Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.
- 3 mos.
Maryland offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:
- As needed
Parent Studies
Maryland conducts the following types of home studies:
- Relative Care
- Foster Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Parent Care
- Foster- Adopt
- Adoption
- Other
Kinship Care Licensing Standards home study type as requested and qualifying (in Maryland per COMAR 07.02.09 Kinship Care Progrram Standards, effective 12/16/2024 and consistent with federal law 471 (a) (19), (20), (29) of the Social Security Act: 45 CFR 1355.20: 45 CFR 1356.21 (m)).
Custodial Parent Evaluated Per Reunification
If child has been removed from the parent, Maryland requires a home study evaluation before reunification.
Yes, a home study in the receiving state is required prior to placement and reunification per the ICPC Compact unless per ICPC Reg. #3, 3 (a) the child is being reunified with a parent who was not the subject of abuse or neglect allegations, there is no evidence to suggest that the parent may be unfit, the sending State court has determined ICPC is inapplicable per Reg. #3, number 3 (a) and the court relinquishes jurisdictioin over the child immediately upon placement with the parent.
Non-Custodial Parents
Placements with non-custodial parents are not covered under the ICPC if:
- A court does not have evidence before it that such parent is unfit;
- Does not seek such evidence; and
- Does not retain jurisdiction over the child after the court transfers the child.
Regulation 7 Priority Placement
Maryland performs priority placements:
Yes
A court ordered Priority 7 conducted if the child is in a DCF shelter or foster home for substantial period of time.
Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study)
Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):
- 90 days
Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):
- Other: A preliminary report is provided at 60 days.
Maryland determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:
- Other
The date that the home study is received by the centralized ICPC office.
Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study
| Regular Mail | Express Mail | Overnight Mail | Electronic Mail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Send request for a home study to Receiving State | y | y | ||
| Send home study request to Local office | y | y | ||
| Send home study report to Sending State | y | y |
Criminal Records Checks
Maryland requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:
- Foster Care
- Relative Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Foster-Adopt
- Adoption
- Parent
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
Maryland requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))
| Federal | State | Local | ANR | NR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Care | y | y | y | ||
| Relative | y | y | y | ||
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | ||
| Adoption | y | y | y | ||
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | ||
| Parent | y | y | y |
Wait Time for Criminal Records Checks
Wait time for fingerprint results are:
Live Scan or other technology
- State: 4-7 days
- Local/County: Not Offered
Manually - Fingerprint Card
- State: 61-180 days
- Local/County: Not Offered
Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):
- 90 days
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
Maryland requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))
| Federal | State | Local | ANR | NR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Care | y | y | y | ||
| Relative | y | y | y | ||
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | ||
| Adoption | y | y | y | ||
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | ||
| Parent | y | y | y |
Verification of Criminal Records Results
- Actual results/information contained in the Criminal Background
Wait Time - (License/ Certification/ Approval - Education and Training)
Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:
- 1-3 mos.
Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.
- 3 mos.
Maryland offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:
- As needed
Relative Placements
Maryland conducts the following types of home studies:
- Relative Care
- Foster Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Parent Care
- Foster- Adopt
- Adoption
- Other
Kinship Care Licensing Standards home study type as requested and qualifying (in Maryland per COMAR 07.02.09 Kinship Care Progrram Standards, effective 12/16/2024 and consistent with federal law 471 (a) (19), (20), (29) of the Social Security Act: 45 CFR 1355.20: 45 CFR 1356.21 (m)).
Regulation 7 Priority Placement
Maryland performs priority placements:
Yes
A court ordered Priority 7 conducted if the child is in a DCF shelter or foster home for substantial period of time.
Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study)
Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):
- 90 days
Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):
- Other: A preliminary report is provided at 60 days.
Maryland determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:
- Other
The date that the home study is received by the centralized ICPC office.
Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study
| Regular Mail | Express Mail | Overnight Mail | Electronic Mail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Send request for a home study to Receiving State | y | y | ||
| Send home study request to Local office | y | y | ||
| Send home study report to Sending State | y | y |
Criminal Records Checks
Maryland requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:
- Foster Care
- Relative Care
- Relative-Foster Care
- Foster-Adopt
- Adoption
- Parent
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
Maryland requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))
| Federal | State | Local | ANR | NR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Care | y | y | y | ||
| Relative | y | y | y | ||
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | ||
| Adoption | y | y | y | ||
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | ||
| Parent | y | y | y |
Wait Time for Criminal Records Checks
Wait time for fingerprint results are:
Live Scan or other technology
- State: 4-7 days
- Local/County: Not Offered
Manually - Fingerprint Card
- State: 61-180 days
- Local/County: Not Offered
Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):
- 90 days
Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)
Maryland requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))
| Federal | State | Local | ANR | NR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foster Care | y | y | y | ||
| Relative | y | y | y | ||
| Relative Foster Care | y | y | y | ||
| Adoption | y | y | y | ||
| Foster-Adopt | y | y | y | ||
| Parent | y | y | y |
Verification of Criminal Records Results
- Actual results/information contained in the Criminal Background
Wait Time - (License/ Certification/ Approval - Education and Training)
Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:
- 1-3 mos.
Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.
- 3 mos.
Maryland offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:
- As needed
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