§ 5-527

(a) The Department shall adopt rules and regulations that establish eligibility guidelines for payment for foster care for 1 or more classes of children, including children who are in need of special care.

(b) (1) For a child who does not need special care, the Department shall pay for foster care in a single family home at a monthly rate that is not less than 55% of the monthly rate provided in subsection (c) of this section for a child who requires the most demanding special care in a single family home.

(2) The monthly rate shall include increments based on the age of the child.

(c) The Department shall pay for foster care for a child who needs the most demanding special care in a single family home at a monthly rate that is not less than the higher of:

(1) the rate that the Department paid in fiscal year 1975; and

(2) the rate that the Department of Juvenile Services pays for the current fiscal year.