HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2063

(4)  TO THE END OF PREVENTING THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED
WITH TEENAGE PREGNANCY, SINGLE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE AT RISK OF
PARENTHOOD SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE COUNSELING AND
HEALTH SERVICES; AND

(5)   IF THE FAMILY OF A SINGLE PARENT IS UNAVAILABLE,
UNWILLING, OR UNABLE TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL, MATERIAL, AND
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO A SINGLE PARENT, THEN THIS STATE MUST
PROVIDE TIMELY SERVICES THAT WILL:

(I) BE
TERM FOSTER CARE; AND

AN EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO COSTLY LONG

(II) PREVENT THE NEGLECT OR ABUSE OF A CHILD OF

THE SINGLE PARENT.

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

In item (5)(ii) of this section, the phrase "of the
single parent" is new language added for clarity.

The Commission to Revise the Annotated Code calls the
attention of the General Assembly to the seemingly
inexplicable variations "young people", "youths under
the age of 18 years", "youth", and "teenage"
individuals, which appear throughout this title.
Although the General Assembly may have intended all of
these references to refer to the same group of
individuals, the Commission to Revise the Annotated
Code was unable to determine conclusively that this
was the legislative intent. Therefore, the General
Assembly may wish to consider making these references
uniform throughout this title by changing them all to
read "young people".

6-103. SINGLE PARENT SERVICES PROGRAM.

(A)   IN GENERAL.

IN EACH LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, THE SECRETARY
OF HUMAN RESOURCES, WITH THE ADVICE OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND MENTAL HYGIENE, SHALL ESTABLISH A SINGLE PARENT SERVICES
PROGRAM TO CARRY OUT THE POLICIES SET FORTH IN § 6-102 OF THIS
SUBTITLE.

(B)  AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES.

THE SINGLE PARENT SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THIS PROGRAM SHALL
BE AVAILABLE TO ANY SINGLE YOUTH WHO IS:

(1) PREGNANT;