2090

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 296

(A)  PETITION BY CHILD.

A CHILD WHO IS 16 YEARS OLD OR OLDER AND WHO IS SUBJECT TO A
CUSTODY ORDER OR DECREE MAY FILE A PETITION TO CHANGE CUSTODY.

(B)  GUARDIAN OR NEXT FRIEND NOT REQUIRED.

A PETITIONER UNDER THIS SECTION MAY FILE THE PROCEEDING IN
THE PETITIONER'S OWN NAME AND NEED NOT PROCEED BY GUARDIAN OR
NEXT FRIEND.

(C)  HEARING REQUIRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS ARTICLE, IF A
PETITIONER UNDER THIS SECTION PETITIONS A COURT TO AMEND A
CUSTODY ORDER OR DECREE, THE COURT:

(1)  SHALL HOLD A HEARING; AND

(2)  MAY AMEND THE ORDER OR DECREE AND PLACE THE CHILD
IN THE CUSTODY OF THE PARENT DESIGNATED BY THE CHILD.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived
without substantive change from former Article 16, §
66(g).

In subsection (a) of this section, the former
reference to a "court" is deleted as unnecessary.

In subsection (b) of this section, the former phrase
"on his own" is deleted as unnecessary.

In subsection (c)(2) of this section, the term "order"
is added to conform to the language in this section.

SUBTITLE 2. MARYLAND UNIFORM CHILD CUSTODY JURISDICTION ACT.

9-201. DEFINITIONS.

(A)  IN GENERAL.

IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This subsection formerly appeared as the
introductory language of Article 16, § 185.

The only changes are in style.

(B)  CONTESTANT.

"CONTESTANT" MEANS A PERSON, INCLUDING A PARENT, WHO CLAIMS
A RIGHT TO CUSTODY OR VISITATION RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO A CHILD.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This subsection formerly appeared as
Article 16, § 185(1).