2018 Maryland Code
Family Law
Title 5 - Children
Subtitle 3 - Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department
Part I - General Provisions
§ 5-301. Definitions
(a) In general. -- In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) Caregiver. -- "Caregiver" means a person with whom a child resides and who exercises responsibility for the welfare of the child.
(c) Child. -- "Child" means an individual who is the subject of a guardianship or adoption petition under this subtitle.
(d) Developmental disability. -- "Developmental disability" has the meaning stated in § 3-801 of the Courts Article.
(e) Guardianship. -- "Guardianship" means an award, under this subtitle, of any power of a guardian.
(f) Identifying information. -- "Identifying information" means information that reveals the identity or location of an individual.
(g) Parent. --
(1) "Parent" means an individual who, at the time a petition for guardianship is filed under this subtitle or at any time before a court terminates the individual's parental rights:
(i) meets a criterion in § 5-306(a) of this subtitle; or
(ii) is the mother.
(2) "Parent" does not include an individual whom a court has adjudicated not to be a father or mother of a child.
(h) Party. -- "Party" means:
(1) in a guardianship case under this subtitle:
(i) the child;
(ii) except as provided in § 5-326(a)(3)(iii) of this subtitle, the child's parent; and
(iii) the local department to which the child is committed;
(2) in an adoption case under Part III of this subtitle:
(i) the child;
(ii) the child's parent; and
(iii) the individual seeking adoption;
(3) in an adoption case under Part IV of this subtitle:
(i) the child; and
(ii) the individual seeking adoption; and
(4) if express reference is made to a CINA case, a governmental unit or person defined as a party in § 3-801 of the Courts Article.
