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 5-1405 – 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 5-1311 – Training
(a) The Department shall establish and maintain a child welfare training academy to provide training on best practices for the following individuals: (1) child welfare staff; (2) child welfare administrators; (3) foster parents; and (4) kinship caregivers. (b) The Department may provide training on best practices for the following individuals: (1) the State Citizens’ Review Board for Children staff and volunteers; and […]
Section 5-1312 – Reporting on State Child Welfare System
(a) In this section, “foster youth” has the meaning stated in § 5–304 of the Human Services Article. (b) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, on or before December 1 of each year, the Department shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the following information regarding children […]
Section 5-1205 – Excess Hospital Beds for New Programs
The Maryland Department of Health shall explore the use of excess hospital beds to locate new substance abuse treatment programs.
Section 5-1402 – Termination of Parental Rights
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, after a trial, a court may terminate the parental rights of a respondent under this subtitle if the court: (1) determines that the respondent has been served in accordance with the Maryland Rules; (2) (i) finds that the respondent has been convicted of an act of nonconsensual sexual conduct […]
Section 5-1206 – Annual Reports on Progress
(a) On or before December 15, 2000, and annually thereafter until December 15, 2007, the Secretary of Human Services and the Secretary of Health shall report to the Governor and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee, the House Appropriations […]
Section 5-1403 – Procedure
(a) An action for termination of parental rights under this subtitle may be filed by either parent of the child, the child’s court–appointed guardian, or the child’s court–appointed attorney. (b) (1) An action for termination of parental rights filed by a parent under this subtitle shall be filed within 7 years after the later of: (i) the date of […]
Section 5-1207 – Considerations in Protocol Development
(a) The Secretary of Human Services and the Secretary of Health shall, in developing the protocol required under § 5–1202 of this subtitle, consider the recommendations developed by the statewide Task Force to Study Increasing the Availability of Substance Abuse Programs established under Article 41, § 18–316 of the Code, as enacted by Chapter 778 of […]
Section 5-1208 – Regulations
The Department of Human Services and the Maryland Department of Health shall adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle.