3332

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 709

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1974 Volume and 1983 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings

3-812.

(a)  A petition shall allege that a child is either
delinquent, or in need of assistance, or in need of supervision.
If it alleges delinquency, it shall set forth in clear and simple
language the alleged facts which constitute the delinquency, and
shall also specify the laws allegedly violated by the child. If
it alleges that the child is in need of assistance or in need of
supervision, the petition shall set forth in clear and simple
language the alleged facts supporting that allegation.

(b)  Petitions alleging delinquency or violation of Section
3-831 shall be prepared and filed by the State's Attorney. A
petition alleging delinquency shall be filed within 30 days after
the receipt of a referral from the intake officer. All other
petitions shall be prepared and filed by the intake officer.

(c)  The form of petitions and all other pleadings, and
except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, the procedures to
be followed by the court, shall be as specified in the Maryland
Rules.

(d)  The State's Attorney, upon assigning his reasons, may
dismiss in open court a petition alleging delinquency.

(e)  The court shall conduct all hearings in an informal
manner. It may exclude the general public from a hearing, and
admit only those persons having a direct interest in the
proceeding and their representatives.

(f)  The court shall try cases without a jury.

(g)  Whenever a child in need of assistance petition is
filed at the request of the local department of social services,
the local department shall be a party to the proceeding and shall
present to the court the evidence in support of the petition.

(H) THE COURT SHALL HEAR AND RULE ON A PETITION SEEKING AN
ORDER FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT ON AN EXPEDITED BASIS AND
SHALL PASS AN ORDER IMMEDIATELY.

Article - Estates and Trusts

13-705.