WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor

Ch. 198

(2)     in order to better enable the courts to handle family, domestic, and
juvenile matters in a more coordinated, efficient, and responsive manner, there shall be
established a Family Division in each circuit court where the creation of a Family Division
is feasible;

(3)     the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals and the circuit courts shall take
the necessary steps to create a Family Division in each circuit court, where the creation of
a Family Division is feasible; and

(4)     the judges of the Family Division have special experience or training in
family law or juvenile causes and an understanding of the problems of families and
children likely to come before the Family Division.

(b)     (1) The Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals may establish a Family
Division in each circuit court,

(2) The Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals shall consult with the
administrative judge of the county before establishing a Family Division in a circuit court.

(c)     A judge assigned to the Family Division shall have the temperament necessary
to deal properly with the cases and families likely to come before the Family Division.

(d)     If a Family Division is established in a circuit court, the Chief Judge of the
Court of Appeals may assign any or all of the following matters to the Family Division:

(1)     dissolution of marriage, including divorce, annulment, and property
distribution;

(2)     child custody and visitation, including proceedings under the Maryland
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act;

(3)     alimony and child support, including proceedings under the Maryland
Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act;

(4)     establishment and termination of the parent-child relationship,
including paternity, adoption, termination of parental rights, and emancipation;

(5)     juvenile causes under Title 3, Subtitle 8 of this article;

(6)     domestic violence proceedings under Title 4, Subtitle 5 of the Family
Law Article;

(7)     criminal nonsupport and desertion, including proceedings under Title
10, Subtitle 2 and Title 13 of the Family Law Article;

(8)     name changes;

(9)     guardianship of minors and disabled persons under Title 13 of the
Estates and Trusts Article;

(10)   involuntary admission to State facilities and emergency evaluations
under Title 10, Subtitle 6 of the Health - General Article; and

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