WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor

(2) (i) In Prince George's County, the judges of the Circuit Court may not
appoint or continue the appointment of masters for juvenile causes, except for the
purpose of conducting probable cause hearings, detention hearings, arraignments,
acceptances of admissions, and restitution hearings in delinquency cases, and shelter care,
adjudicatory, and disposition hearings in child in need of assistance cases,

(ii) A master in Prince George's County may not conduct:

1. An adjudicatory hearing in delinquency cases, unless the
adjudicatory hearing is limited to the acceptance of an admission; or

2. A disposition hearing in delinquency cases.

(b) If a master is appointed for juvenile causes, he is authorized to conduct
hearings. These proceedings shall be recorded, and the master shall make findings of fact,
conclusions of law, and recommendations as to an appropriate order. These proposals
and recommendations shall be in writing, and, within 10 days after the hearing, the
original shall be filed with the court and a copy served upon each party to the proceeding.

(c) (1) Any party, in accordance with the Maryland Rules, may file written
exceptions to any or all of the master's findings, conclusions, and recommendations, but
shall specify those items to which he objects.

(2) The party who files exceptions may elect a hearing de novo or a hearing
on the record before the court unless the party is the State in proceedings involving
juvenile delinquency.

(3)     If the State is the excepting party in proceedings involving juvenile
delinquency, the hearing shall be on the record, supplemented by additional evidence as
the judge considers relevant and to which the parties raise no objection.

(4)     In either case, the hearing shall be limited to those matters to which
exceptions have been taken.

(d) The proposals and recommendations of a master for juvenile causes do not
constitute orders or final action of the court. They shall be promptly reviewed by the
court; and in the absence of timely and proper exceptions, they may be adopted by the
court and appropriate orders entered based on them. Detention or shelter care may be
ordered by a master pending court review of his findings, conclusions and
recommendations.

(e) If the court, on its own motion and in the absence of timely and proper
exceptions, decides not to adopt the master's findings, conclusions, and
recommendations, or any of them it shall conduct a de novo hearing. However, if all
parties and the court agree, the hearing may be on the record.]

[3-832.

For purposes of Title 12 of this article, an action, decision, order, or judgment of the
District Court in Montgomery County sitting as the juvenile court shall be treated in the
same manner as if it had been made, done, or entered by a circuit court.]

- 1461 -

Ch. 198