Maryland Family Law Section 5-508

      (a)      Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall be licensed by the Administration as a child care home before the person may exercise care, custody, or control of a minor child.

      (b)      This section does not apply:

            (1)      to a parent of the child;

            (2)      to an individual related to the child by blood or marriage within five degrees of consanguinity or affinity under the civil law rule;

            (3)      to a guardian of the child;

            (4)      to a person who exercises temporary care, custody, or control over the child at the request of a parent or guardian of the child and who is not required otherwise to be licensed;

            (5)      to an individual with whom the child is placed in foster care by:

                  (i)      a child placement agency that is licensed under § 5-507 of this subtitle;

                  (ii)      a local department;

                  (iii)      the Department of Juvenile Services;

                  (iv)      the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene; or

                  (v)      a court of competent jurisdiction;

            (6)      to a person who has the care, custody, or control of the child through placement for adoption by a parent or grandparent of the child, if the requirements of § 5-507(c) of this subtitle are met;

            (7)      to an institution that has a child care institution license under this subtitle or under Article 83C, § 2-124 of the Code; or

            (8)      to an institution that is operated by an agency of this State or any political subdivision of this State.