Ch. 641

LAWS OF MARYLAND

(A)  (1) IN THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE
MEANINGS INDICATED.

(2)   "ADVOCATE" OR "C.O.S.A. C.A.S.A." MEANS A
COURT-APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE.                                             

(3)   "PROGRAM" MEANS THE COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL
ADVOCATE PROGRAM ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS SECTION A COURT-APPOINTED
SPECIAL ADVOCATE SERVICE THAT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IN A COUNTY OR
BALTIMORE CITY WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE JUVENILE COURT FOR THAT
JURISDICTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING TRAINED VOLUNTEERS
APPOINTED BY THE COURT TO;

(I) PROVIDE THE COURT WITH BACKGROUND
INFORMATION TO AID THE COURT IN MAKING DECISIONS IN THE CHILD'S
BEST INTEREST; AND

(II)  ENSURE THAT THE CHILD IS PROVIDED
APPROPRIATE CASE PLANNING AND SERVICES.

(B)  (1) THERE IS A COURT-APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE
PROGRAM.

(2)  THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE
VOLUNTEERS WHOSE PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO INSURE THAT CHILDREN WHO
ARE THE SUBJECT OF THIS PROCEEDING ARE PROVIDED WITH APPROPRIATE
SERVICE AND CASE PLANNING THAT IS IN THEIR BEST INTEREST.

(3)  THE PROGRAM SHALL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS.

(4)  THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS SHALL
REPORT ANNUALLY TO THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS AND,
SUBJECT TO § 2-1312 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, TO THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGARDING THE OPERATION OF THE PROGRAM.

(5)  THE COURT OF APPEALS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE
COURTS MAY ADOPT RULES GOVERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION
OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO TRAINING, SELECTION,
AND SUPERVISION OF VOLUNTEERS.

(C)  (1) THE GOVERNOR MAY INCLUDE FUNDS IN THE BUDGET TO
CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.

(2) ANY STATE FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR THIS PROGRAM SHALL
BE ALLOCATED TO THE COUNTIES ON A 50 PERCENT COST SHARING BASIS.

(D)  AN ADVOCATE OR A MEMBER OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF OF
THE PROGRAM IS NOT LIABLE FOR ACTS OR OMISSIONS IN PROVIDING
SERVICES OR PERFORMING DUTIES ON BEHALF OF THE PROGRAM, UNLESS
THE ACT OR OMISSION CONSTITUTES RECKLESS, WILLFUL, OR WANTON
MISCONDUCT OR INTENTIONALLY TORTIOUS CONDUCT.

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