Md. Code, Education § 9.5–301

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) “Child care provider” means the adult who has primary responsibility for the operation of a family child care home or a large family child care home.

(c) “Direct Grant Fund” means the Family Child Care Provider Direct Grant Fund.

(d) “Family child care” means the care given to a child under the age of 13 years or to any developmentally disabled person under the age of 21 years, in place of parental care for less than 24 hours a day, in a residence other than the child’s residence, for which the child care provider is paid.

(e) “Family child care home” means a residence in which family child care is provided for up to eight children.

(f) “Family child care provider” means an individual who cares for children in a registered family child care home or a registered large family child care home.

(g) “Large family child care home” means a residence in which family child care is provided for at least nine children, but not more than 12 children.

(h) “Unregistered family child care home” means a residence in which family child care is provided and in which the child care provider:

(1) Has not obtained a certificate of registration from the Department;

(2) Is not related by blood or marriage to each child in the provider’s care;

(3) Is not a friend of each child’s parents or legal guardian and is providing care on a regular basis; and

(4) Has not received the care of the child from a child placement agency licensed by the Department of Human Services or by a local department of social services.