Plain Text Law

Subtitle 37 – Minors - Misappropriations or Neglect

Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 37-1 (2026)

§ 37-1 Scope of subtitle.Copy Citation

(a)“Person” defined.
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(1)In general.
In this subtitle, “person” has the meaning stated in <cite data-path="|general|1|1|1-107">§ 1-107 </cite>of the City Code’s <cite data-path="|general">General Provisions Article</cite>.
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(2)Inclusions.
Every officer, trustee, director, agent, partner, member, or employee of a corporation, partnership, or association who directly or indirectly engages in any of the acts prohibited by this subtitle or who assists the corporation, partnership, or association in any of those prohibited acts shall be subject to the penalties imposed by this subtitle.
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(b)Parents and guardians excluded.
No parent or duly appointed guardian may be proceeded against under this subtitle for any alleged mistreatment or abuse of his or her own child or children or child or children for whom he or she has been appointed guardian.
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History: Ord. 25-422
History: Ord. 77-573
History: Ord. 22-125
Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 37-2 (2026)

§ 37-2 Misappropriation of minor’s property.Copy Citation

Any person having the custody of any minor child or children, and who shall appropriate to his own use or for his personal gain or profit any sum of money or any valuable article contributed or given for the support or maintenance of said minor child or children shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction of said offense by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $300, or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both fine and imprisonment.
History: Ord. 25-422
Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 37-3 (2026)

§ 37-3 General neglect; inducing to beg.Copy Citation

Any person who shall induce a minor child to beg or ask alms, or any person having the custody of any minor child or children who shall refuse or neglect to provide food, clothing, housing facilities, or medical attention sufficient to preserve the health of such child or children, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction of said offense by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $300, or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both.
History: Ord. 25-422
Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 37-4 (2026)

§ 37-4 Child left unattended in vehicle.Copy Citation

Any person, having the care or custody of any child under the age of 11 years who shall cause or permit the child to remain in a motor vehicle while not attended or accompanied in that motor vehicle by a person at least 13 years of age or more shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both fine and imprisonment.
History: Ord. 87-939
Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 37-5 to 37-10 (2026)

§§ 37-5 to 37-10Copy Citation

Reserved
Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 37-11 (2026)

§ 37-11 Enjoining custody.Copy Citation

Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this subtitle may be enjoined from:
(1)
receiving or having the custody of any minor child or children; or
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(2)
acting as officer or agent of any association, corporation, or other organization formed, operated, or maintained for the purpose of having the custody of or caring for any minor child or children.
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History: Ord. 25-422
Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 37-12 (2026)

§ 37-12 Enforcement by Social Services.Copy Citation

It shall be the duty of the Department of Social Services to:
(1)
promptly investigate any complaint of a violation of the provisions of this subtitle;
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(2)
prosecute any person so violating the said provisions; and
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(3)
whenever they shall deem proper, seek the issuance of an injunction as above provided.
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History: Ord. 25-422
History: Ord. 77-573
Balt., Md., Code art. 19, § 37-13 (2026)

§ 37-13 Application of subtitle.Copy Citation

This subtitle shall not be construed to repeal any existing provision of law, but shall be in addition to any existing provisions of law on this subject.
History: Ord. 25-422