Section 5-570 - Definitions. - Maryland Statutes

§ 5-570. Definitions.
 

(a)  In general.- In this Part VII of this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 

(b)  Child.- "Child" means an individual under the age of 16 years. 

(c)  Child care center.-  

(1) "Child care center" means an agency, institution, or establishment that, for part or all of a day, or on a 24-hour basis on a regular schedule, and at least twice a week, offers or provides child care to children who do not have the same parentage except as otherwise provided for in law or regulation. 

(2) "Child care center" shall include a nonpublic nursery school in which an instructional program is offered or provided for children who are under the age of 5 years. 

(3) "Child care center" does not include: 

(i) a nonpublic kindergarten in which an instructional program is offered or provided for children who are at least 5 years old; 

(ii) a nonpublic elementary school in which an instructional program is offered or provided for children who are in grades 1 through 8; 

(iii) a child care home, a child care institution, or other child care facility that offers or provides a residential placement for a child and is established, licensed, or registered under this subtitle, Title 9 of the Human Services Article, or Title 10 of the Health - General Article; or 

(iv) a family day care home that is required to be registered or is registered under this subtitle. 

(d)  Department.- "Department" means the State Department of Education. 

(e)  Letter of compliance.- "Letter of compliance" means a letter issued by the State Department of Education to a religious organization that meets the requirements under § 5-573 of this subtitle. 

(f)  License.- "License" means a license issued by the State Department of Education to operate a child care center. 

(g)  Person.- "Person" includes a State, county, or municipal corporation. 

(h)  State Superintendent.- "State Superintendent" means the State Superintendent of Schools or the State Superintendent's designee. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 43, § 708; 1982, ch. 21, § 2; ch. 634, § 2; 1985, ch. 491; 1986, ch. 118; 1988, ch. 247; 1989, ch. 5, § 1; ch. 89; ch. 514, § 2; 1990, ch. 135; 1992, ch. 22, § 1; 2004, ch. 25, § 6; 2005, ch. 25, § 12; ch. 464, §§ 3, 5; ch. 585, § 5; 2007, ch. 8, § 1.]