---
kind: "section"
citation: "34 C.F.R. § 300.45"
title: "34"
number: "300.45"
heading: "Ward of the State."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/34/300.45"
---

# §300.45. Ward of the State.

- (a) **General.** Subject to [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section, ward of the State means a child who, as determined by the State where the child resides, is—
  - (1) A foster child;
  - (2) A ward of the State; or
  - (3) **In the custody of a public child welfare agency.**
- (b) **Exception.** Ward of the State does not include a foster child who has a foster parent who meets the definition of a parent in [§ 300.30](/cfr/34/300.30.md).

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3, 1406, 1411-1419, and 3474; Pub. L. 111-256, 124 Stat. 2643; unless otherwise noted.

### Source

Source: 71 FR 46753, Aug. 14, 2006, unless otherwise noted.