HARRY HUGHES, Governor

287

Defined terms: "Administration" § 6-101
"Director" § 6-101 "Person" § 1-101

6-131. LIABILITY INSURANCE AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR FOSTER
PARENTS.

(A)  "FOSTER PARENT" DEFINED.

IN THIS SECTION, "FOSTER PARENT" INCLUDES AN INDIVIDUAL
WHO CARES FOR A CHILD ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS UNDER A SHELTER
CARE PROGRAM.

(B)  INSURANCE COVERAGE REQUIRED.

(1)  THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL PROVIDE LIABILITY
INSURANCE FOR FOSTER PARENTS WHO CARE FOR CHILDREN UNDER
FOSTER PARENT PROGRAMS.

(2)  SUBJECT TO A REASONABLE DEDUCTIBLE LIMIT,
WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION SHALL SET, THE LIABILITY INSURANCE
SHALL PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR:

(I)  BODILY INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE THAT
A FOSTER CHILD CAUSES TO THE PERSON OR PROPERTY OF A PERSON
OTHER THAU A FOSTER PARENT; AND

(II)  ACTIONS AGAINST A FOSTER PARENT BY A
NATURAL PARENT FOR ANY ACCIDENT TO THE FOSTER CHILD.

(C)  REIMBURSEMENT.

(1)  SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION,
THE SECRETARY SHALL REIMBURSE A FOSTER PARENT FOR COSTS OF
BODILY INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE THAT THE FOSTER CHILD
CAUSES TO THE FOSTER PARENT AND THAT INSURANCE DOES NOT
COVER.

(2)  BEFORE REIMBURSEMENT UNDER THIS SUBSECTION,
THE SECRETARY SHALL BE SATISFIED THAT THE ACTIONS OF THE
FOSTER PARENT DID NOT CONTRIBUTE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE BODILY
INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE SUSTAINED.

(3)  REIMBURSEMENT UNDER THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE
MADE FOR ALL COSTS TO A MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF $5,000. HOWEVER,
ALL PAYMENTS IN EXCESS OF $500 REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF THE
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section formerly appeared as
Article 52A, § 19.

The power to set deductible limits in former
Article 52A, § 19(a)(2) could be read to apply
only to actions against a foster parent or to
those actions for damages to persons or property.
Subsection (b)(2) of this section is revised to