1340

LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 265

THE CHILD;

(5)        DETER ABDUCTIONS AND OTHER UNILATERAL

REMOVALS OF CHILDREN UNDERTAKEN TO OBTAIN CUSTODY AWARDS;

(6)          AVOID RE-LITIGATION OF CUSTODY DECISIONS
OF OTHER STATES IN THIS STATE INSOFAR AS FEASIBLE;

(7)         FACILITATE THE ENFORCEMENT OF CUSTODY
DECREES OF OTHER STATES;

(8)         PROMOTE AND EXPAND THE EXCHANGE OF
INFORMATION AND OTHER FORMS OF MUTUAL ASSISTANCE BETWEEN
THE COURTS OF THIS STATE AND THOSE OF OTHER STATES
CONCERNED WITH THE SAME CHILD; AND

(9)         MAKE UNIFORM THE LAW OF THOSE STATES
WHICH ENACT IT.

(B)        THIS SUBTITLE SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO PROMOTE

THE GENERAL PURPOSES STATED IN THIS SECTION,

[[3-1002]] 185.

(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE
MEANINGS INDICATED:

(1)    "CONTESTANT" MEANS A PERSON, INCLUDING A
PARENT, WHO CLAIMS A RIGHT TO CUSTODY OR VISITATION
RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO A CHILD.

(2)    "CUSTODY DETERMINATION" MEANS A COURT
DECISION AND COURT ORDERS AND INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDING FOR
THE CUSTODY OF A CHILD, INCLUDING VISITATION RIGHTS; IT
DOES NOT INCLUDE A DECISION RELATING TO CHILD SUPPORT OR
ANY OTHER MONETARY OBLIGATION OF ANY PERSON.

(3)    "CUSTODY PROCEEDING" INCLUDES
PROCEEDINGS IN     WHICH A CUSTODY DETERMINATION IS ONE OF
SEVERAL ISSUES, SUCH AS AN ACTION FOR DIVORCE OR
SEPARATION, AND     INCLUDES CHILD NEGLECT AND DEPENDENCY
PROCEEDINGS.

(4) "DECREE" OR "CUSTODY DECREE" MEANS A
CUSTODY DETERMINATION CONTAINED IN A JUDICIAL DECREE OR
ORDER MADE IN A CUSTODY PROCEEDING, AND INCLUDES AN
INITIAL DECREE AND A MODIFICATION DECREE.

(5) "HOME STATE" MEANS THE STATE IN WHICH
THE CHILD IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE TIME INVOLVED LIVED
WITH HIS PARENTS, A PARENT, OR A PERSON ACTING AS PARENT,
FOR AT LEAST 6 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS, AND IN THE CASE OF A
CHILD LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD THE STATE IN WHICH THE CHILD