WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                    Ch. 337

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1984 Volume and 1986 Supplement)

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

Article - Family Law

5-203.

(c)(1) If the parents live apart, a court may award
custody of a minor child to either parent or joint custody to
both parents, SUBJECT TO §§ 9-102 AND 9-103 OF THIS ARTICLE.

(2) Neither parent is presumed to have any right to
custody that is superior to the right of the other parent.

SECTION 2. BE IT FURTHER ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That Section(s) 9-101, 9-102, and 9-103, respectively,

of Article - Family Law of the Annotated Code of Maryland be

renumbered to be Section(s) 9-107, 9-108, and 9-109,

respectively.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of
Maryland read as follows:

Article - Family Law

9-101.

(A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(B) "JOINT CUSTODY" MEANS JOINT PHYSICAL AND LEGAL CUSTODY.

(C) (1) "JOINT PHYSICAL CUSTODY" MEANS AN ARRANGEMENT WHERE
THE PARENTS, TO THE EXTENT FEASIBLE, EQUITABLY SHARE THE PHYSICAL
CUSTODY OF THE CHILD OR CHILDREN.

(2) "JOINT PHYSICAL CUSTODY" INCLUDES AN ARRANGEMENT
UNDER WHICH EACH OF THE PARENTS OR PARTIES ENJOY SIGNIFICANT
PERIODS OF TIME IN WHICH THE CHILD RESIDES WITH OR IS UNDER THE
CARE AND SUPERVISION OF EACH OF THE PARENTS OR PARTIES.

(D) "JOINT LEGAL CUSTODY" MEANS AN ARRANGEMENT WHERE THE
PARENTS OR PARTIES SHARE, OR HAVE VOLUNTARILY ALLOCATED OR THE
COURT HAS DECREED BETWEEN THEM, THE DECISION MAKING RIGHTS,

RESPONSIBILITIES, AND AUTHORITY RELATING TO THE HEALTH,

EDUCATION, AND WELFARE OF THE CHILD.

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