166                                        LAWS OF MARYLAND                            [Ch.

CONSIDERING THE AGE AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CHILD;
AND IF THIS IS ORDERED, THE LIABILITY OF THE CHILD
PRECEDES THE LIABILITY OF THE PARENT.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language
derived from Art. 26, §71A, as amended by
Ch. 651, Acts of 1973. The term "property"
is defined in §3-801(x). The term "child"
is defined in §3-801(e).

SEC- 3-840. CONTRIBUTING TO CONDITION WHICH [[WOULD]]
[[RENDER]] RENDERS CHILD NEGLECTED, DELINQUENT, OR IN
NEED OF SUPERVISION.

(A) OFFENSE DEFINED.

IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR AN ADULT WILLFULLY TO
CONTRIBUTE TO, ENCOURAGE, CAUSE OR TEND TO CAUSE ANY
ACT, OMISSION, OR ANY CONDITION WHICH [[WOULD RENDER]]
BENDERS A CHILD NEGLECTED, DELINQUENT OR IN NEED OF
SUPERVISION.

(B) CONDITION.__

A PERSON MAY NOT BE CONVICTED UNDER THIS SECTION

UNTIL THE CHILD HAS BEEN ADJUDICATED NEGLECTED,

DELINQUENT OR IN NEED OF SUPERVISION.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language
derived form Art. 26, §91. The present
definition of the offense is modified to
specifically indicate that it is a criminal
offense. It is believed that the modified
definition eliminates ambiguities as to the
nature of an offense committed by an adult.
The reference to any parent, guardian, or
person having the custody, control, or
supervision of a child is proposed for
deletion as unnecessary. The term "adult"
in the context of this section is broad
enough to embrace all these persons. The
term "minors without proper care and
guardianship" is replaced with specific
categories which are defined in the
definition section of this subtitle. In
support of this change, it should be noted
that the terms "neglected child",
"delinquent child", or "child in need of
supervision" are used interchangeably with
"minors without proper care and
guardianship" in the statutes from which