Maryland Health - General Section 19-4A-03

      (a)      The Department shall adopt regulations that set standards for the care, treatment, health, safety, welfare, and comfort of individuals who receive home health care services through a residential service agency.

      (b)      The regulations shall provide for the licensing of residential service agencies and the annual renewal of licenses.

      (c)      The regulations shall require the Secretary to charge fees in a manner which will produce funds sufficient to at least cover the actual direct or indirect costs of the inspection and licensure of residential service agencies under this subtitle.

      (d)      The regulations shall include provisions that:

            (1)      Provide for the establishment of residential service agencies;

            (2)      Establish qualifications for licensure;

            (3)      Set minimum standards for individuals who provide home health care services through a residential service agency; and

            (4)      Require the residential service agency to screen and verify the character references of all home health care providers that are employed by the residential service agency.