§ 5-570. Definitions

   (a) In general. -- In this Part VII of this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) Child. -- "Child" means an individual under the age of 16 years.

(c) Child care center. --

   (1) "Child care center" means an agency, institution, or establishment that, for part or all of a day, or on a 24-hour basis on a regular schedule, and at least twice a week, offers or provides child care to children who do not have the same parentage except as otherwise provided for in law or regulation.

   (2) "Child care center" shall include a nonpublic nursery school in which an instructional program is offered or provided for children who are under the age of 5 years.

   (3) "Child care center" does not include:

      (i) a nonpublic kindergarten in which an instructional program is offered or provided for children who are at least 5 years old;

      (ii) a nonpublic elementary school in which an instructional program is offered or provided for children who are in grades 1 through 8;

      (iii) a child care home, a child care institution, or other child care facility that offers or provides a residential placement for a child and is established, licensed, or registered under this subtitle, Title 9 of the Human Services Article, or Title 10 of the Health - General Article; or

      (iv) a family child care home or large family child care home that is required to be registered or is registered under this subtitle.

(d) Department. -- "Department" means the State Department of Education.

(e) Letter of compliance. -- "Letter of compliance" means a letter issued by the State Department of Education to a religious organization that meets the requirements under § 5-573 of this subtitle.

(f) License. -- "License" means a license issued by the State Department of Education to operate a child care center.

(g) Person. -- "Person" includes a State, county, or municipal corporation.

(h) State Superintendent. -- "State Superintendent" means the State Superintendent of Schools or the State Superintendent's designee.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 43, § 708; 1982, ch. 21, § 2; ch. 634, § 2; 1985, ch. 491; 1986, ch. 118; 1988, ch. 247; 1989, ch. 5, § 1; ch. 89; ch. 514, § 2; 1990, ch. 135; 1992, ch. 22, § 1; 2004, ch. 25, § 6; 2005, ch. 25, § 12; ch. 464, § 3, 5; ch. 585, § 5; 2007, ch. 8, § 1; 2011, ch. 564.