Maryland Family Law Section 5-550.1

      (a)      The Department shall implement a system of registration for family day care homes.

      (b)      The purpose of registration of family day care homes is to:

            (1)      protect the health, safety, and welfare of children while they are in family day care;

            (2)      identify family day care homes;

            (3)      provide basic technical assistance and child care information to day care providers; and

            (4)      minimize the regulatory rigidity often associated with licensing.

      (c)      The system of registration is intended to promote a high degree of flexibility in the regulation of family day care homes while assuring the health and safety of children who are cared for in family day care homes.