Ch. 491

1995 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(VI) ONE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPARTMENT, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR; AND

(V) (VI) (VII) FOUR FIVE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC,
REPRESENTATIVE OF DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIC AREAS OF THE STATE, APPOINTED
BY THE GOVERNOR.

(T) (W) (Y) THE SECRETARY SHALL ADOPT ANY REGULATIONS
NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.

Article - Family Law

5-203.

(a)     (1) The parents are the joint natural guardians of their minor child.

(2) A parent is the sole natural guardian of the minor child if the other
parent:

(i) dies;

(ii) abandons the family; or

(iii) is incapable of acting as a parent.

(b)     The parents of a minor child:

(1)     are jointly and severally responsible for the child's support, care,
nurture, welfare, and education; and

(2)     have the same powers and duties in relation to the child.

(C) IF A PARENT ONE OR BOTH PARENTS OF A AN UNEMANCIPATED MINOR
CHILD IS A MINOR, THE PARENTS OF THAT MINOR PARENT ARE JOINTLY AND
SEVERALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CHILD SUPPORT FOR A GRANDCHILD THAT IS A
RECIPIENT OF AID TO FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN TO THE EXTENT THAT
THE MINOR PARENT HAS INSUFFICIENT FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO FULFILL THE
CHILD SUPPORT RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MINOR PARENT.

[(c)] (D) (1) If the parents live apart, a court may award custody of a minor
child to either parent or joint custody to both parents.

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

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read as
follows:

Article - Family Law

10-101.

(B) "ADMINISTRATION" MEANS THE CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT
ADMINISTRATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES.

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