2040                             Laws of Maryland                       Ch. 730

(z) Number and gender.—The singular includes the plural, the
plural the singular, and the masculine, the feminine, when consistent
with the intent of this subtitle.

70-2.

(a)    The court has exclusive original jurisdiction:

(1)    Over persons alleged to be delinquent children;

(2)    Over persons alleged to be dependent children;

(3)    Over children alleged to be neglected children;

(4)    Over children alleged to be in need of supervision;

(5)    Over children alleged to be mentally handicapped;

(6)    Over proceedings arising under Section 387 through 395,
inclusive, of Article 41 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1965
Replacement Volume and 1968 Supplement, as amended) title
"Governor—Executive and Administrative Departments," subtitle
"35—Interstate Compact on Juveniles";

(7)    To try any person who has reached his eighteenth birthday
(or, in Baltimore City, until July 1, [1970] 1971, to try any person
who has reached his sixteenth birthday), for any willful act or
omission causing a child to be adjudicated neglected, delinquent, or
in need of supervision.

(b)    Jurisdiction to determine custody or appoint guardian.—
Subject to the jurisdiction of equity courts as set forth in Section 66
of Article 16, the court has jurisdiction to determine the custody or
appoint a guardian of the person of a child or minor as provided in this
subtitle.

(c)    Concurrent jurisdiction in paternity proceedings.—The
court has concurrent jurisdiction with the equity courts in paternity
proceedings, subject to Sections 66 (e) and 66A through 66L, inclusive,
of Article 16.

(d)    Exemptions.—The court does not have jurisdiction over:

(1)    A proceeding involving a child who has reached his 14th
birthday, alleged to have done an act which, if committed by an
adult, would be a crime punishable by death or life imprisonment
(including a lesser offense or an offense arising out of the act alleged
to have been committed), unless an order removing the proceeding
to the juvenile court has been filed pursuant to Section 594A of
Article 27;

(2)    A proceeding involving a child who has reached his 16th
birthday, alleged to have done an act in violation of any provision
of Article 66½ or any other traffic law or ordinance (other than
manslaughter by automobile, unauthorized use or occupancy of a
motor vehicle, tampering with a motor vehicle or, operating a vehicle
under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs).

(e)    Determination of jurisdiction; right to elect trial in criminal
court in certain cases.—(1) In determining the jurisdiction of the
court under subsection (a)(l) of this section, the age of child at
the time the alleged delinquent act was committed is controlling.