(a) The Secretary and the Secretary of Budget and Management shall ensure that sufficient numbers of qualified child welfare staff, as specified in § 4-301 of the Human Services Article, are hired and retained in order to achieve caseload ratios in child welfare services consistent with the Child Welfare League of America caseload standards.

(b) The Department, in consultation with an appropriate entity with expertise in child welfare services caseload ratios, shall develop a methodology to calculate caseload ratios in child welfare services for the State.

(c) The Department shall enter into a written contract with an entity that has expertise in child welfare services caseload ratios to annually review the calculation of caseload ratios used by the Department.