Md. Code, Human Services § 9-235

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person shall be licensed by the Department as a child care home before the person may exercise care, custody, or control over a child who is alleged to be or is adjudicated delinquent or in need of supervision.

(b) This section does not apply to:

(1) a parent of the child;

(2) an individual related to the child by blood or marriage within 4 degrees of consanguinity under the civil law rule;

(3) a guardian of the child;

(4) a person who exercises temporary 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) a person who has the care, custody, or control of the child through placement by a parent or grandparent of the child in contemplation of adoption, if the requirements of § 5–507(b)(2) and (c) of the Family Law Article are met;

(6) an institution that has a child care institution license under this subtitle or § 5–509 of the Family Law Article;

(7) an institution operated by a unit of the State or a political subdivision; or

(8) a foster care provider with whom the child is placed by:

(i) a licensed child placement agency;

(ii) a local department of social services;

(iii) the Secretary of Health;

(iv) the Department; or

(v) a court of competent jurisdiction.