Maryland Family Law Section 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.

      (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.