PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                                 Ch. 8

(Q) The court may dismiss a petition for failure to comply with this section only if
the respondent has demonstrated actual prejudice.

3-815.

(a)     Only the court or an intake officer may authorize detention or shelter care for
a child who may be in need of supervision or delinquent. The local department, pursuant
to regulations promulgated by the Department of Human Resources, may authorize
shelter care for a child who may be in need of assistance.

(b)     If a child is taken into custody, the child may be placed in detention prior to
a hearing if:

(1)     Such action is required to protect the child or person and property of
others;

(2)     The child is likely to leave the jurisdiction of the court; or

(3)     There are no parents, guardian, or custodian or other person able to
provide supervision and care for the child and return the child to the court when
required.

(c)     A child taken into custody may be placed in emergency shelter care prior to a
hearing if:

(1)     One or more of the circumstances stated in subsection (b) of this section
exist; and

(2)     (i) 1. Continuation of the child in the child's home is contrary to
the welfare of the child; and

2. Removal of the child from the child's home is reasonable
under the circumstances due to an alleged emergency situation and in order to provide
for the safety of the child; or

(ii) 1. Reasonable, but unsuccessful, efforts have been made to
prevent or eliminate the need for removal from the child's home: and

2. As appropriate, reasonable efforts are being made to return
the child to the child's home.

(d)     (1) If the child is not released, the intake officer or the official who
authorized detention or shelter care shall immediately file a petition to authorize
continued detention or shelter care.

(2)     A hearing on the petition shall be held not later than the next court day.
unless extended by the court upon good cause shown.

(3)     Reasonable notice, oral or written, stating the time, place, and purpose
of the hearing, shall be given to the child and, if they can be found, the child's parents.
guardian, or custodian.

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