§ 13-201. Definitions.

(a)

For the purposes of this Division the following words and phrases shall have the meaning respectively ascribed to them by this Section.

(1)

Applicant shall mean a person applying for a Group Residential Facility certificate or renewal thereof.

(2)

Certificate shall mean any certification in writing, issued by the Commission which authorizes the operation of a Group Residential Facility.

(3)

Commission shall mean the Commission of Group Residential Facilities.

(4)

Foster Home shall mean a residential dwelling unit where one performs the duties of a parent to the child(ren) of another by rearing said child(ren) as guardian.

(5)

Grantee shall mean any person to whom a Group Residential Facility certificate has been issued in accordance with the provisions of this Division.

(6)

Group Residential Care shall mean the provision of shelter, board, facility resources for daily living, personal guidance and direction and related supportive activities within a residential home environment.

(7)

Group Residential Facility shall mean a residential dwelling unit or foster home operated, pursuant to a Group Residential Facility certificate by a person with a program designed to provide a supportive living arrangement for either a temporary or extended period, for five (5) or more individuals, unrelated to the operator(s) or foster parent(s) by blood or marriage, who, because of age, emotional, mental, physical, familial or social differences have a need for supervision or assisted community living. Group Residential Facility shall not mean a foster home where there are four (4) or less persons unrelated by blood or marriage to their foster parent(s) who receive foster care; a foster home where there are no more than six (6) foster children unrelated to their foster parents, provided that said foster children are related by blood or marriage to each other; a hospital, ward, convalescent or nursing home, rest home or infirmary defined and licensed respectively, according to the provisions of Title 19, Subtitle 13, Health-General Article, Annotated Code of Maryland; a hospital, ward or institution operated by the State of Maryland or Prince George's County, or congregate living facility for the elderly or physically handicapped.

(8)

Group Residential Facility Program shall mean the goals and objectives, policies, the means to accomplish such goals, and the operating methods designed by the person responsible for a Group Residential Facility's creation, sponsorship, permit application, and operation within the terms of the Group Residential Facility certificate.

(9)

Person shall mean and include any individual, firm, corporation, association, partnership, or government agency that creates, sponsors, or applies for a Group Residential Facility certificate, controls the operation of a Group Residential Facility program and undertakes the Group Residential Facility's financing, policy, and legal obligations.

(10)

Program Effectiveness shall mean that the Group Residential Care Facility operations are or promise to be effective in terms of achieving the objectives set forth in the program statement.

(11)

Program Statement shall mean a document that describes the program's goals and objectives, the means to accomplish such goals, the numbers and characteristics of the residents to be served, operating methods and procedures and other aspects appropriate to the program. Each program statement shall include specific elements, both qualitative and quantitative, against which actual operations will subsequently be evaluated.

(CB-76-1977)