1924

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 296

The phrase "child of" is substituted for the former
word "issue", to conform to the language used
throughout this article.

The former phrase "and declared it to be null and
void" is deleted as repetitious of the word "annuls".

The former reference to the child of the marriage
being deemed to be the legitimate child of its parents
is deleted as unnecessary in light of § 1-206(a) of
the Estates and Trusts Article.

5-203. NATURAL GUARDIANSHIP; POWERS AND DUTIES OF PARENTS; AWARD
OF CUSTODY TO PARENT.

(A)  NATURAL GUARDIANSHIP.

(1)  THE PARENTS ARE THE JOINT NATURAL GUARDIANS OF
THEIR MINOR CHILD.

(2)  A PARENT IS THE SOLE NATURAL GUARDIAN OF THE
MINOR CHILD IF THE OTHER PARENT:

(I)  DIES;

(II)  ABANDONS THE FAMILY; OR

(III)  IS INCAPABLE OF ACTING AS A PARENT.

(B)  POWERS AND DUTIES OF PARENTS.
THE PARENTS OF A MINOR CHILD:

(1)  ARE JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
CHILD'S SUPPORT, CARE, NURTURE, WELFARE, AND EDUCATION; AND

(2)  HAVE THE SAME POWERS AND DUTIES IN RELATION TO
THE CHILD.

(C)  AWARD OF CUSTODY TO PARENT.

(1)  IF THE PARENTS LIVE APART, A COURT MAY AWARD
CUSTODY OF A MINOR CHILD TO EITHER PARENT.

(2)  NEITHER PARENT IS PRESUMED TO HAVE ANY RIGHT TO
CUSTODY THAT IS SUPERIOR TO THE RIGHT OF THE OTHER PARENT.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived
without substantive change from the first through
fourth sentences of former Article 72A, § 1.

In subsection (a)(1) of this section, the phrase
"minor child" is substituted for the former phrase
"child under eighteen years of age", for brevity and