Ch. 596

1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings
Section 3-804(a)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1995 Replacement Volume and 1995 Supplement)

BY adding to

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings

Section 3-826.1

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1995 Replacement Volume and 1995 Supplement)

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Family Law
Section 1-201(a) and (c)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1991 Replacement Volume and 1995 Supplement)

BY repealing

Article - Family Law                                                                     

Section 1-201(d)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1991 Replacement Volume and 1995 Supplement)

Preamble

WHEREAS,—Maryland has over 10,000 children in temporary out of home
placements under the custody of local departments of social services and the average
length of stay is approaching three years; and

WHEREAS, In light of the continued lengthy delays in the adoption process, late in
1995, Governor Glendening created the Governor's Commission on Adoption; and

WHEREAS, The Commission was charged with malting recommendations for
changes in laws, policies, and practices that would expedite the adoption and permanency
planning processes; and

WHEREAS, The overriding principles that emerged from the Commission's
deliberations are that the best interests of the child should always prevail in the judicial,
legal, and administrative arenas and that the child's need for a permanent and nurturing
family should at least be equal to the rights of the parents; and

WHEREAS, Maryland must use every available resource to reduce the foster care
caseload and move children waiting for adoption to stable, nurturing, permanent homes;
and

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