2614

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 293

(I)  ARE ABUSED, ABANDONED, DEPENDENT UPON
THE STATE, OR NEGLECTED AND WHO ARE COMMITTED BY A JUVENILE
COURT TO THE CUSTODY OR GUARDIANSHIP OF A LOCAL DEPARTMENT
OF SOCIAL SERVICES UPON A DETERMINATION THAT CONTINUED
RESIDENCE IN THE HOME WOULD BE CONTRARY TO THEIR WELFARE; OR

(II)  WHOSE PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS HAVE
VOLUNTARILY PLACED THEM IN THE CUSTODY OF A LOCAL DEPARTMENT
OF SOCIAL SERVICES PURSUANT TO A WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH THE
LOCAL DEPARTMENT FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED 6 MONTHS.

(2)  THE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM SHALL PROVIDE 24
HOUR CARE IN A LICENSED OR APPROVED FOSTER FAMILY HOME,
GROUP HOME, OR CHILD CARE INSTITUTION ON A SHORT-TERM BASIS
WHILE THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES DEVELOPS AND
IMPLEMENTS A PERMANENT PLAN WHICH IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS
OF THE CHILD.

(3)  IN PLANNING FOR A CHILD, THE SOCIAL SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION SHALL CONSIDER RETURN TO THE PARENTS OR
GUARDIAN AS THE FIRST PRIORITY. IF RETURN IS NOT POSSIBLE IN
THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD, THE CHILD'S PLAN SHALL
PROVIDE, IN ORDER OF PRIORITY, FOR PLACEMENT WITH RELATIVES,
ADOPTION, INDEPENDENT LIVING, OR, IN EXCEPTIONAL SITUATIONS
AS DEFINED BY REGULATION, LONG-TERM FOSTER CARE.

(C) THE SOCIAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION SHALL ADOPT
RULES AND REGULATIONS WHICH:

(1)  FOR THE 12 MONTH PERIOD BEGINNING ON OCTOBER
1, 1983 AND FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT 12 MONTH PERIOD, ESTABLISH
SPECIFIC GOALS AS TO THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHO WILL
REMAIN IN FOSTER CARE FOR A PERIOD IN EXCESS OF 2 YEARS; AND

(2)  ARE REASONABLY NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE
CHILD WELFARE SERVICES AND FOSTER CARE PROGRAMS ESTABLISHED
BY THIS SECTION.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1982.

Approved May 20, 1982.

CHAPTER 294

(Senate Bill 768)

AN ACT concerning

Divorce and Annulment - Marital Property -
Determination by Court