PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                             H.B. 1157

(2)      IN ANY PROCEEDING IN WHICH A CHILD IS ALLEGED TO BE IN NEED
OF SUPERVISION OR ASSISTANCE OR TO HAVE COMMITTED A DELINQUENT ACT
THAT WOULD BE A MISDEMEANOR IF COMMITTED BY AN ADULT, THE COURT [ It]
may exclude the general public from a hearing, and admit only those persons having a
direct interest in the proceeding and their representatives.

(3)      EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (4) OF THIS SUBSECTION, IN A
CASE IN WHICH A CHILD IS ALLEGED TO HAVE COMMITTED A DELINQUENT ACT
THAT WOULD BE A FELONY IF COMMITTED BY AN ADULT, THE COURT SHALL
CONDUCT IN OPEN COURT ANY HEARING OR OTHER PROCEEDING AT WHICH THE
CHILD HAS A RIGHT TO APPEAR.

(4)      FOR GOOD CAUSE SHOWN, THE COURT MAY EXCLUDE THE
GENERAL PUBLIC FROM A HEARING OR OTHER PROCEEDING IN A CASE IN WHICH A
CHILD IS ALLEGED TO HAVE COMMITTED A DELINQUENT ACT THAT WOULD BE A
FELONY IF COMMITTED BY AN ADULT AND ADMIT ONLY THE VICTIM AND THOSE
PERSONS HAVING A DIRECT INTEREST IN THE PROCEEDING AND THEIR
REPRESENTATIVES.

(5)      EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (6) OF THIS SUBSECTION, THE
COURT SHALL ANNOUNCE, IN OPEN COURT, ADJUDICATIONS AND DISPOSITIONS IN
CASES WHERE A CHILD IS ALLEGED TO HAVE COMMITTED A DELINQUENT ACT
WHICH WOULD BE A FELONY IF COMMITTED BY AN ADULT.

(6)      FOR GOOD CAUSE SHOWN, THE COURT MAY EXCLUDE THE
GENERAL PUBLIC FROM A PROCEEDING AT WHICH AN ADJUDICATION OR
DISPOSITION IS ANNOUNCED AND ADMIT ONLY THE VICTIM AND THOSE PERSONS
HAVING A DIRECT INTEREST IN THE PROCEEDING AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES.

(f)      The court shall try cases without a jury.

(g)      Whenever a child in need of assistance petition is filed by the local
department of social services, the local department shall be a party to the proceeding and
shall present to the court the evidence in support of the petition.

(h) The court shall hear and rule on a petition seeking an order for emergency
medical treatment on an expedited basis.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 1997.

May 22, 1997

The Honorable Casper R. Taylor, Jr.
Speaker of the House
State House
Annapolis MD 21401

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, I have today
vetoed House Bill 1157.

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