Ch. 207

2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(5)      (I) INSTRUCTIONS THAT EXPLAIN THE NECESSITY FOR BOTH AN
AFFIDAVIT AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION OF THE SERIOUS FAMILY HARDSHIP
RESULTING IN INFORMAL KINSHIP CARE SHALL:

1. BE ATTACHED TO AFFIDAVIT FORMS THAT COMPLY WITH
SUBSECTION (C)(4) OF THIS SECTION PARAGRAPH (4) OF THIS SUBSECTION; AND

2. INCLUDE LANGUAGE ENCOURAGING THE RELATIVE
PROVIDING INFORMAL KINSHIP CARE TO SUBMIT THE AFFIDAVIT AND SUPPORTING
DOCUMENTATION PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 30 OF EACH YEAR.

(II) THE AFFIDAVIT FORMS, WITH ATTACHED INSTRUCTIONS,
SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE OFFICES OF EACH COUNTY
BOARD OF EDUCATION, EACH LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, AND EACH
LOCAL AREA AGENCY ON AGING.

(6)      IF A CHANGE OCCURS IN THE CARE OR IN THE SERIOUS FAMILY
HARDSHIP OF THE CHILD, THE RELATIVE PROVIDING INFORMAL KINSHIP CARE FOR
THE CHILD SHALL NOTIFY THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM IN WRITING WITHIN 30 DAYS
AFTER THE CHANGE OCCURS.

(7)      (I) AN INFORMAL KINSHIP CARE AFFIDAVIT MAY BE FILED
DURING A SCHOOL YEAR

(II) THE RELATIVE PROVIDING INFORMAL KINSHIP CARE SHALL
FILE AN AFFIDAVIT ANNUALLY AT LEAST 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF THE
SCHOOL YEAR FOR EACH YEAR THE CHILD CONTINUES TO LIVE WITH THE RELATIVE
BECAUSE OF A SERIOUS FAMILY HARDSHIP.

(8)      UNLESS THE COURT APPOINTS A GUARDIAN FOR THE CHILD OR
AWARDS CUSTODY OF THE CHILD TO SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE RELATIVE
PROVIDING INFORMAL KINSHIP CARE, THE RELATIVE PROVIDING INFORMAL
KINSHIP CARE SHALL MAKE THE FULL RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL DECISIONS FOR
THE CHILD.

(9)      THE RELATIVE PROVIDING INFORMAL KINSHIP CARE SHALL MAKE
REASONABLE EFFORTS TO INFORM THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF THE CHILD
OF THE INFORMAL KINSHIP CARE RELATIONSHIP.

(10)    THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF A CHILD IN AN
OUT OF COUNTY LIVING ARRANGEMENT INFORMAL KINSHIP CARE RELATIONSHIP
SHALL HAVE FINAL DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY REGARDING THE EDUCATIONAL
NEEDS OF THE CHILD.

(D) SECTION 4-122.1 OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL APPLY TO THE EDUCATION
FUNDING OF A CHILD IN AN INFORMAL KINSHIP CARE RELATIONSHIP IF THE FISCAL
IMPACT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION EXCEED 0.1%
OF A COUNTY BOARD'S TOTAL OPERATING BUDGET FOR A FISCAL YEAR.

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