2674

LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 554

IS OR MAY BE MENTALLY RETARDED OR MENTALLY ILL.

(N) "PARTY" INCLUDES A CHILD OVER WHOM THE COURT
HAS ASSUMED JURISDICTION, THE CHILD'S PARENT, GUARDIAN,
OR CUSTODIAN, [[AND]] THE PETITIONER AND AN ADULT WHO IS
CHARGED UNDER $3-831 OF THIS SUBTITLE.

(O) "SHELTER CARE" MEANS THE TEMPORARY CARE OF
CHILDREN IN PHYSICALLY UNRESTRICTING FACILITIES, PENDING
COURT DISPOSITION.

3-802. PURPOSES OF SUBTITLE.

(A)    THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBTITLE ARE:

(1)    TO PROVIDE FOR THE CARE, PROTECTION, AND
WHOLESOME MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN
COMING WITHIN THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND TO
PROVIDE FOR A PROGRAM OF TREATMENT, TRAINING, AND
REHABILITATION CONSISTENT WITH THE CHILD'S BEST INTERESTS
AND THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST;

(2)    TO REMOVE FROM CHILDREN COMMITTING
DELINQUENT ACTS THE TAINT OF CRIMINALITY AND THE
CONSEQUENCES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR;

(3)    TO CONSERVE AND STRENGTHEN THE CHILD'S
FAMILY TIES AND TO SEPARATE A CHILD FROM HIS PARENTS ONLY
WHEN NECESSARY FOR HIS WELFARE OR IN THE INTEREST OF
PUBLIC SAFETY;

(4)    IF NECESSARY TO REMOVE A CHILD FROM HIS
HOME, TO SECURE FOR HIM CUSTODY, CARE , AND DISCIPLINE AS
NEARLY AS POSSIBLE EQUIVALENT TO THAT WHICH SHOULD HAVE
BEEN GIVEN BY HIS PARENTS.

(5)    TO PROVIDE JUDICIAL PROCEDURES FOR
CARRYING OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE.

(B)    THIS SUBTITLE SHALL BE LIBERALLY CONSTRUED TO
EFFECTUATE THESE PURPOSES.

3-803. ASSIGNMENT AND ROTATION OF JUDGES.

(A)    IN BALTIMORE CITY[[ , ]] AND IN ANY COUNTY IN
WHICH THE CASE LOAD REQUIRES IT, ONE OR MORE JUDGES SHALL
BE ASSIGNED SPECIALLY TO HANDLE CASES ARISING UNDER THIS
SUBTITLE. THE ASSIGNMENT SHALL BE MADE BY THE
ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT, SUBJECT TO THE
APPROVAL OF THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS. THE
JUDGES SO ASSIGNED SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO AN AUTOMATIC
REGULAR ROTATION.

(B)    TO THE EXTENT FEASIBLE, THE JUDGES ASSIGNED TO