Maryland Family Law Section 5-1203

CAUTION: READ FULL TEXT OF SECTION FOR SPECIAL NOTE

      At an adjudicatory hearing on a petition for a child in need of assistance under Title 3, Subtitle 8 of the Courts Article, if a local department requests substance abuse assessment and testing for a parent, the court shall order the assessment and testing unless the court finds compelling reasons not to order the assessment and testing and provides the reasons in writing.

** SPECIAL NOTE: EFFECTIVE - JANUARY 1, 2006 - CHAPTER 464 - 2005 **

      At an adjudicatory hearing on a petition for a child in need of assistance, if a local department requests substance abuse assessment and testing for a parent, a juvenile court shall order the assessment and testing unless the juvenile court finds compelling reasons not to order the assessment and testing and provides the reasons in writing.