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2005 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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Ch. 464
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A JUVENILE COURT NEED NOT CONSIDER ANY FACTOR LISTED IN SUBSECTION
(D) OF THIS SECTION IN DETERMINING A CHILD'S BEST INTERESTS IF, AFTER A
THOROUGH INVESTIGATION BY A LOCAL DEPARTMENT, THE JUVENILE COURT FINDS
THAT:
(1) THE IDENTITIES OF THE CHILD'S PARENTS ARE UNKNOWN; AND
(2) DURING THE 60 DAYS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CHILD'S
ADJUDICATION AS A CHILD IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE, NO ONE HAS CLAIMED TO BE
THE CHILD'S PARENT.
(D) CONSIDERATIONS.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION, IN RULING ON A
PETITION FOR GUARDIANSHIP OF A CHILD, A JUVENILE COURT SHALL GIVE PRIMARY
CONSIDERATION TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE CHILD AND CONSIDERATION
TO ALL OTHER FACTORS NEEDED TO DETERMINE WHETHER TERMINATING A
PARENT'S RIGHTS IS IN THE CHILD'S BEST INTERESTS, INCLUDING:
(1) (I) ALL SERVICES OFFERED TO THE PARENT BEFORE THE CHILD'S
PLACEMENT, WHETHER OFFERED BY A LOCAL DEPARTMENT, ANOTHER AGENCY, OR
A PROFESSIONAL;
(II) THE EXTENT, NATURE, AND TIMELINESS OF SERVICES
OFFERED BY A LOCAL DEPARTMENT TO FACILITATE REUNION OF THE CHILD AND
PARENT; AND
(III) THE EXTENT TO WHICH A LOCAL DEPARTMENT AND PARENT
HAVE FULFILLED THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER A SOCIAL SERVICES AGREEMENT, IF
ANY;
(2) THE RESULTS OF THE PARENT'S EFFORT TO ADJUST THE PARENT'S
CIRCUMSTANCES, CONDITION, OR CONDUCT TO MAKE IT IN THE CHILD'S BEST
INTERESTS FOR THE CHILD TO BE RETURNED TO THE PARENT'S HOME, INCLUDING:
(I) THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PARENT HAS MAINTAINED
REGULAR CONTACT WITH:
1. THE CHILD;
2. THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT TO WHICH THE CHILD IS
COMMITTED; AND
3. IF FEASIBLE, THE CHILD'S CAREGIVER;
(II) THE PARENT'S CONTRIBUTION TO A REASONABLE PART OF THE
CHILD'S CARE AND SUPPORT, IF THE PARENT IS FINANCIALLY ABLE TO DO SO;
(III) THE EXISTENCE OF A PARENTAL DISABILITY THAT MAKES THE
PARENT CONSISTENTLY UNABLE TO CARE FOR THE CHILD'S IMMEDIATE AND
ONGOING PHYSICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME; AND
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- 2622 -
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