US Lawyer Database

Section 5-1405 – Right to Counsel

    (a)    A parent in a proceeding under this subtitle is entitled to the assistance of counsel.     (b)    (1)    The court shall:             (i)    refer an unrepresented parent to a qualified grantee of the Maryland Legal Services Corporation for assignment of counsel; or             (ii)    appoint counsel for an unrepresented parent.         (2)    A parent is not entitled to the assistance of counsel at the […]

Section 5-1404 – Trial

    (a)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the court shall hold a trial on termination of parental rights not later than 180 days after an answer to the complaint is filed.         (2)    Unless both parents agree otherwise or the court finds that it is in the best interest of the child to proceed, if […]

Section 5-1208 – Regulations

    The Department of Human Services and the Maryland Department of Health shall adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle.

Section 5-1302 – Outcome Measurement System

    (a)    The Secretary and the Secretary of Budget and Management shall develop and implement an outcome-based system of accountability for measuring the efficiency and effectiveness of child welfare services for children and families in the State.     (b)    The outcome measurement system shall:         (1)    address areas of safety, permanence, and well-being for all children in the State child welfare […]

Section 5-1303 – Measurement of Efforts — Addressing Child Abuse and Neglect

    The effectiveness of efforts to address child abuse and neglect shall be measured by:         (1)    the recurrence within 12 months of child abuse or neglect among victims of indicated abuse or neglect;         (2)    the percentage of screened out reports of child abuse or neglect that are documented as reviewed by a supervisor;         (3)    the incidence of child abuse […]

Section 5-1304 – Measurement of Efforts — Protection of Children Removed From Homes From Abuse and Neglect

    The effectiveness of efforts to protect children removed from their homes from abuse and neglect shall be measured by:         (1)    the incidence of indicated or unsubstantiated findings of child abuse or neglect of children in the custody of a local department, or a placement agency, for placements:             (i)    in foster care homes;             (ii)    in kinship care homes;             (iii)    in […]

Section 5-1305 – Measurement of Efforts — Permanency and Stability in Living Conditions

    The effectiveness of efforts to address permanency and stability in the living situations of children in the custody of a local department, or a placement agency, shall be measured by:         (1)    the percentage of children who exit foster care within time periods consistent with federal national standards with a breakdown by each standard;         (2)    the percentage of […]

Section 5-1306 – Measurement of Efforts — Health, Mental Health, Education, and Well-Being of Committed Children

    The effectiveness of efforts to address the health, mental health, education, and well–being of a child committed to the Department shall be measured by:         (1)    the percentage of children in out–of–home placements who received a comprehensive assessment in compliance with federal regulations for the early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment program within 60 days of […]

Section 5-1307 – Use of Measures

    (a)    The measures in §§ 5-1303 through 5-1306 of this subtitle shall be used by the local departments and the Administration, and may be used by an entity that enters into a memorandum of understanding with the Department, to measure the efficiency and the effectiveness of child welfare services.     (b)    Information collected by the State or federal […]