1986                                         LAWS OF MARYLAND                                    Ch. 296

EACH MEMBER OF A LOCAL BOARD IS SUBJECT TO THE SAME
STANDARDS OF CONFIDENTIALITY AS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE
ADMINISTRATION.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived
without substantive change from the fourth and sixth
sentences of former Article 88A, § 116(b).

The defined term "Administration" is substituted for
the former reference to the "Department of Social
Services" in light of Article 88A, § 1(a) of the Code.

See Article 88A, § 6 of the Code as to the appropriate
"standards of confidentiality".

Defined terms: "Administration" § 5-501
"Local board" § 5-501

5-544. SAME -- GOALS.

THE GOALS OF EACH LOCAL BOARD ARE:

(1)  AS TO MINOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE RESIDED IN FOSTER
CARE UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT FOR MORE THAN
6 MONTHS:

(I)  TO REVIEW THE CASES EVERY 6 MONTHS TO
DETERMINE WHAT EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO ACQUIRE PERMANENT AND
STABLE PLACEMENT FOR THESE CHILDREN; AND

(II)  TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE THE RETURN OF
EACH OF THESE CHILDREN TO THE CHILD'S PARENT OR, ON DETERMINING
THAT RETURN OF A CHILD TO THE CHILD'S PARENT IS NOT IN THE BEST
INTERESTS OF THE CHILD, TO ENCOURAGE PLACEMENT OF THE CHILD WITH
THE CHILD'S RELATIVES, PROVIDED THE PLACEMENT HAS LEGAL STATUS,
OR IF NEITHER MEASURE IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD, TO
ENCOURAGE EFFORTS AT ADOPTION OF THE CHILD;

(2)  TO ENCOURAGE ALL POSSIBLE EFFORTS FOR PERMANENT
FOSTER CARE OR GUARDIANSHIP FOR MINOR CHILDREN FOR WHOM RETURN TO
A PARENT OR ADOPTION IS NOT FEASIBLE; AND

(3)  TO REPORT TO THE JUVENILE COURT ON THE STATUS OF
EFFORTS TO SECURE PERMANENT HOMES FOR MINOR CHILDREN.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived
without substantive change from former Article 88A, §§
114(1) and 119(a).

In item (2) of this section, "not feasible" is
substituted for the former language "unfeasible or
impossible", for clarity and brevity.

Defined terms: "Foster care" § 5-501
"Local board" § 5-501