HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1571

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings

Section 3-602(a)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1980 Replacement Volume and 1980 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings

3-602.

(a) A court of equity has jurisdiction over the
custody, guardianship, legitimation, maintenance, visitation
and support of a child. In exercising its jurisdiction, the
court may:

(1)  Direct who shall have the custody or
guardianship of a child;

(2)  Determine the legitimacy of a child,
pursuant to § 1-208 of the Estates and Trusts Article of
this Code.

(3)  Decide who shall be charged with the support
and maintenance of a child, pendente lite or permanently;

(4)  Determine who shall have visitation rights
to a child, INCLUDING ANY OF THE GRANDPARENTS OF THE CHILD
IF THEY SO REQUEST AND IF THE DENIAL OF THEIR VISITATION
RIGHTS IS AN ISSUE IN DISPUTE. AT ANY TIME FOLLOWING THE
TERMINATION OF A MARRIAGE, THE COURT MAY CONSIDER A PETITION
FOR REASONABLE VISITATION BY ONE OR MORE OF THE GRANDPARENTS
OF A NATURAL OR ADOPTED CHILD OF THE PARTIES WHOSE MARRIAGE
HAS BEEN TERMINATED, AND MAY GRANT SUCH VISITATION IF THE
COURT BELIEVES IT TO BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD;
or

(5)  From time to time set aside or modify its
decree or order concerning the child.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1981.

Approved May 12, 1981.

CHAPTER 277
(Senate Bill 353)