Ch. 304                                    2004 LAWS OF MARYLAND

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Family Law

Section 5-502, 5-525, 5-544, 5-525 and 5-545
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1999 Replacement Volume and 2003 Supplement)

BY adding to

Article—Family Law

Section 5-505 and 5-510.1

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1999 Replacement Volume and 2003 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Family Law

5-502.

(a) The General Assembly declares that:

(1) minor children are not capable of protecting themselves; [and]

(2) when a parent has relinquished the care of the parent's minor child to
others, there is a possibility of certain risks to the child that require compensating
measures; AND

(3) WHEN A PARENT HAS RELINQUISHED THE CARE OF THE PARENT'S
MINOR CHILD TO OTHERS, THERE SHALL BE SUFFICIENT FUNDS AVAILABLE FROM
THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT AGENCY TO PROVIDE THE CHILD WITH ALL
NECESSARY SERVICES.

(b) It is the policy of this State:

(1) to protect minor children whose care has been relinquished to others
by the children's parent;

(2) to resolve doubts in favor of the child when there is a conflict between
the interests of a minor child and the interests of an adult; and

(3) to encourage the development of day-care services for minor children
in a safe, healthy, and homelike environment.

5-505.
AFTER JANUARY 1, 2006, A CHILD COMMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT MAY NOT
BE PLACED IN A CROUP HOME OR RESIDENTIAL FACILITY THAT ALSO ACCEPTS
CHILDREN FROM ANY OTHER UNIT OF STATE GOVERNMENT.

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