2178                                         LAWS OF MARYLAND                                     Ch. 296

TITLE 12. CHILD SUPPORT.

12-101. AWARD OF COSTS AND COUNSEL FEES.

(A)  IN GENERAL.

THE COURT MAY AWARD TO EITHER PARTY THE COSTS AND COUNSEL
FEES THAT ARE JUST AND PROPER UNDER ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN ANY
CASE IN WHICH A PERSON:

(1)  APPLIES FOR A DECREE OR MODIFICATION OF A DECREE
CONCERNING THE CUSTODY, SUPPORT, OR VISITATION OF A CHILD OF THE
PARTIES; OR

(2)  FILES ANY FORM OF PROCEEDING:

(I)  TO RECOVER ARREARAGES OF CHILD SUPPORT; OR

(II)  TO ENFORCE A DECREE OF CHILD SUPPORT.

(B)  REQUIRED CONSIDERATIONS.

BEFORE A COURT MAY AWARD COSTS AND COUNSEL FEES UNDER THIS
SECTION, THE COURT SHALL CONSIDER:

(1)  THE FINANCIAL STATUS OF EACH PARTY;

(2)  THE NEEDS OF EACH PARTY; AND

(3)  WHETHER THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL JUSTIFICATION FOR
BRINGING OR DEFENDING THE PROCEEDING.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived
without substantive change from former Article 16, §
5A.

In subsection (a)(1) of this section, "support" is
substituted for the former reference to "amount of
support", for clarity, brevity, and accuracy.

Defined term: "Support" § 1-101

CENTRAL REGISTRY OF RECORDS.

IN GENERAL.

(1)  THE CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES SHALL MAINTAIN A CENTRAL
REGISTRY OF RECORDS OF ALL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION THAT RELATES
TO PARENTS WHO HAVE DESERTED OR WHO APPEAR TO HAVE DESERTED THEIR
CHILDREN.

(2)  THE CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION
SHALL LIST THESE PARENTS IN THE REGISTRY WHETHER OR NOT THEIR
CHILDREN ARE LIKELY TO BECOME RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE OR
FOSTER CARE.

12-102.
(A)