222                               LAWS OF MARYLAND                        [CH. 151

ARTICLE 26—COURTS

Judge for Juvenile Causes of Montgomery County

70 A. (Juvenile Judge.) One of the Judges of the People's Court of
Montgomery County shall be a Judge for Juvenile Causes only.

70B. (Judge—Election; qualifications.) The Judge for Juvenile
Causes shall be appointed, as provided by Section 92A of Article 52,
enacted herewith. He shall have the qualifications and receive a salary
as provided in Sections 92A and 100 of said Article 52.

70C. (Purpose.) The purpose of this sub-title is to secure for
each child under its jurisdiction such care and guidance, preferably
in his own home, as will serve the child's welfare and the best interest
of the State; to conserve and strengthen the child's family ties when-
ever possible, removing him from the custody of his parents only
when his welfare or the safety and protection of the public cannot
be adequately safeguarded without such removal; and, when such
child is removed from his own family, to secure for him custody,
care, and discipline as nearly as possible equivalent to that which
should have been given by his parents. This provision shall be
liberally construed to accomplish the purposes herein sought.

70D. (Definitions.) When used in this sub-title, unless the content
clearly requires otherwise:

(a)   "Court" means the Court presided over by the People's Court
Judge for Juvenile Causes of Montgomery County.

(b)   "Judge" means the People's Court Judge for Juvenile Causes
of Montgomery County.

(c)   "Child" means a minor under the age of 18 years who is sub-
ject to the jurisdiction of the Court.

(d)   "Adult" means a person 18 years of age or over.

70E. (Judge—Jurisdiction and powers.) Except as otherwise pro-
vided, the People's Court Judge for Juvenile Causes of Montgomery
County shall have the following jurisdiction and powers:

(a)   He shall possess the same powers as a justice of the peace or
magistrate for criminal causes, or Judge of the People's Court of
Montgomery County now has or may hereafter have as defined by law.

(b)  He shall have exclusive jurisdiction over other justices of the
peace or trial magistrates or People's Court Judges in proceedings
concerning any child within Montgomery County, who is dependent,
delinquent, neglected or is a minor without proper care or guardian-
ship; and except where the child is under the jurisdiction of another
Court, he shall have power to determine the custody of the person of
any child living within the County whose welfare appears to be
endangered, and to determine parental rights in connection with
such proceedings.

(c)  He shall have power to place any child found to be delinquent,
dependent or neglected, or a child without proper care and guardian-
ship in the custody of such person or persons, juvenile institution
or juvenile agency, for such period of time as may be deemed for the