ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor

Ch. 207

[(4) Nothing in this section alters the requirements for out-of-county
placements contained in § 4-122 and Title 8, Subtitles 3 and 4 of this article or in any
other State or federal law.]

(C) (1) (I) IN THIS SUBSECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE
MEANINGS INDICATED.

(II)     "INFORMAL KINSHIP CARE" MEANS A LIVING ARRANGEMENT IN
WHICH A RELATIVE OF A CHILD, WHO IS NOT IN THE CARE, CUSTODY, OR
GUARDIANSHIP OF THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, PROVIDES FOR
THE CARE AND CUSTODY OF THE CHILD DUE TO A SERIOUS FAMILY HARDSHIP.

(III)   "RELATIVE" MEANS AN ADULT RELATED TO THE CHILD BY
BLOOD OR MARRIAGE WITHIN THE FIFTH DEGREE OF CONSANGUINITY.

(IV)    "SERIOUS FAMILY HARDSHIP" MEANS:

1.       DEATH OF A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF THE CHILD;

2.       SERIOUS ILLNESS OF A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF
THE CHILD;

3.       DRUG ADDICTION OF A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF
THE CHILD;

4.       INCARCERATION OF A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF
THE CHILD;

5.       ABANDONMENT BY A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF
THE CHILD; OR

6.       ASSIGNMENT OF A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF A
CHILD TO ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY.

(2)      (I) A COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT SHALL ALLOW A CHILD WHO IS A
RESIDENT OF THIS STATE TO ATTEND A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN A COUNTY OTHER THAN
THE COUNTY WHERE THE CHILD IS DOMICILED WITH THE CHILD'S PARENT OR
LEGAL GUARDIAN IF THE CHILD LIVES WITH A RELATIVE PROVIDING INFORMAL
KINSHIP CARE IN THE COUNTY AND THE RELATIVE VERIFIES THE INFORMAL
KINSHIP CARE RELATIONSHIP THROUGH A SWORN AFFIDAVIT.

(II) 1. THE AFFIDAVIT SHALL BE ACCOMPANIED BY
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION OF ONE OR MORE SERIOUS FAMILY HARDSHIPS AND,
WHERE POSSIBLE, THE TELEPHONE NUMBER AND ADDRESS OF ANY AUTHORITY
WHO IS LEGALLY AUTHORIZED TO REVEAL INFORMATION WHICH CAN VERIFY THE
ASSERTIONS IN THE AFFIDAVIT.

2. THE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED UNDER
SUBSUBPARAGRAPH 1 OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH LOCAL,
STATE, AND FEDERAL PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY POLICIES AND STATUTES.

(3)     THE AFFIDAVIT SHALL INCLUDE:

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