Ch. 304                                    2004 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(3)     that the child continue to be placed outside the home, but that the
present placement plan is inappropriate to the child's needs; [or]

(4)      THAT THE CHILD CONTINUE TO BE PLACED OUTSIDE THE HOME,
BUT THAT THE CHILD BE PLACED OUTSIDE THE HOME IN THE LOCAL JURISDICTION
OF ORIGIN, IF APPROPRIATE;

(5)      THAT IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF A CHILD TO CONTINUE TO BE
PLACED IN ANOTHER LOCAL JURISDICTION IN THE STATE, AFTER CONSIDERING:

1. THE NUMBER OF OTHER CHILDREN IN OUT OF HOME
PLACEMENTS IN PROXIMITY TO THE CURRENT OR PROPOSED OUT OF HOME
PLACEMENT;

2. THE EFFECT ON THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM;

3. 1. THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES TO PROVIDE
NECESSARY SERVICES TO THE CHILD; AND

4. 2. THE ACCESSIBILITY TO FAMILY TREATMENT, IF
APPROPRIATE; AND

3. THE EFFECT ON THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM; OR

[(4)] (6) that proceedings be initiated to terminate the rights of the
parent as to the child so that the child may be eligible for adoption.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That:

(a)     The Special Secretary for Children, Youth, and Families, in consultation
with the Department of Human Resources, the Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene, and the Department of Juvenile Services, shall:

(1)     conduct a study of out-of-home placements to determine:

(i) the types or categories of out-of-home placements in which
children from each county were placed and the number of children placed in each type
or category in fiscal year 2005;

(ii) the total number and types or categories of out-of-home
placements that would need to be available in each county or multicounty region to
meet the needs of children who require out-of-home placements within the child's
home county or the multicounty region that includes the child's home county; and

(iii) the number and types of additional out-of-home placements
that would need to be developed to meet the total number identified in item (ii) of this
paragraph; and

(2)     develop a plan for the Social Services Administration to meet the
goals of this Act.

(b)     On or before January 1, 2006, the Special Secretary for Children, Youth,
and Families shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2-1246 of the
State Government Article, the General Assembly on:

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