Title 3. Courts of General Jurisdiction -- Jurisdiction/special Causes of Action — Subtitle 8. Juvenile Causes -- Children in Need of Assistance

Sexual abuse of a child, whether a physical injury is sustained or not;

Physical or mental injury of a child under circumstances that indicate that the child’s health or welfare is harmed or is at substantial risk of being harmed by:

Labor trafficking of a child by any individual.

The child has been abused, has been neglected, has a developmental disability, or has a mental disorder; and

The child’s parents, guardian, or custodian are unable or unwilling to give proper care and attention to the child and the child’s needs.

Is attributable to a physical or mental impairment, other than the sole diagnosis of mental illness, or to a combination of mental and physical impairments;

Is likely to continue indefinitely;

Results in an inability to live independently without external support or continuing and regular assistance; and

Reflects the need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment, or other services that are individually planned and coordinated for the individual.

Whether a child is in need of assistance; and

If so, the nature of the court’s intervention to protect the child’s health, safety, and well–being.

Taking, placing, harboring, persuading, inducing, or enticing a child by force, fraud, or coercion to provide services or labor; or

Receiving a benefit or thing of value from the provision of services or labor by a child that was induced by force, fraud, or coercion.

The local department of social services for the county in which the court is located; or

In Montgomery County, the county department of health and human services.

“Mental disorder” means a behavioral or emotional illness that results from a psychiatric or neurological disorder.

“Mental disorder” includes a mental illness that so substantially impairs the mental or emotional functioning of an individual as to make care or treatment necessary or advisable for the welfare of the individual or for the safety of the person or property of another.

“Mental disorder” does not include an intellectual disability.

“Neglect” means the leaving of a child unattended or other failure to give proper care and attention to a child by any parent or individual who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for supervision of the child under circumstances that indicate:

“Neglect” does not include the use of cannabis by any parent or individual who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for supervision of the child unless, as a result of the use of cannabis:

“Party” means:

“Party” does not include a foster parent.

Has a trauma–informed treatment model that is designed to address the clinical and other needs of children with serious emotional or behavioral disorders or disturbances;

Is able to implement the specific treatment recommended in an assessment completed by a qualified individual;

Has registered or licensed nursing staff and other licensed clinical staff who are:

Appropriately facilitates outreach to family members and integrates the family members into the treatment of the children;

Is able to provide discharge planning that provides family–based aftercare support for at least 6 months following discharge;

Is licensed in accordance with § 471(a)(10) of the Social Security Act; and

Is accredited by an approved independent nonprofit organization.

Sexual molestation or exploitation of a child by:

Sex trafficking of a child by any individual.

Allowing or encouraging a child to engage in:

Incest;

Rape;

Sexual offense in any degree; and

Any other sexual conduct that is a crime.

To provide for the care, protection, safety, and mental and physical development of any child coming within the provisions of this subtitle;

To provide for a program of services and treatment consistent with the child’s best interests and the promotion of the public interest;

To conserve and strengthen the child’s family ties and to separate a child from the child’s parents only when necessary for the child’s welfare;

To hold parents of children found to be in need of assistance responsible for remedying the circumstances that required the court’s intervention;

Except as otherwise provided by law, to hold the local department responsible for providing services to assist the parents with remedying the circumstances that required the court’s intervention;

If necessary to remove a child from the child’s home, to secure for the child custody, care, and discipline as nearly as possible equivalent to that which the child’s parents should have given;

To achieve a timely, permanent placement for the child consistent with the child’s best interests; and

To provide judicial procedures for carrying out the provisions of this subtitle.

In all judicial proceedings conducted in accordance with this subtitle or § 5-326 of the Family Law Article, the court may direct the local department to provide services to a child, the child’s family, or the child’s caregiver to the extent that the local department is authorized under State law.

The court shall exercise the authority described in paragraph (1) of this subsection to protect and advance a child’s best interests.

Voluntary placement hearings;

Proceedings arising from a petition alleging that a child is a CINA;

Proceedings arising under the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children;

Proceedings to terminate parental rights after a CINA proceeding;

Guardianship review proceedings after a TPR proceeding; and

Adoption proceedings, if any, after a TPR proceeding.

The court has concurrent jurisdiction over:

During pendency of an action under this subtitle, a party has a continuing duty to advise the court and any other court considering custody, support, visitation, or paternity of a child, of the pendency of any other action concerning the child, whether the action is in this or another state.

The court has concurrent jurisdiction over proceedings against an adult for a violation of § 3-828 of this subtitle.

The age of the child at the time a petition is filed under § 3-828 of this subtitle controls the determination of jurisdiction under this subsection.

Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the court has jurisdiction under this subtitle only if the alleged CINA or child in a voluntary placement is under the age of 18 years when the petition is filed.

The court has jurisdiction under this subtitle over a former CINA:

Remains in effect; and

May be revised or superseded only by another court of competent jurisdiction.

A petition alleging that a child is a CINA shall be filed in the county where:

A voluntary placement petition shall be filed in the county where:

Whenever a petition is filed other than in the county where the child resides, the court, on its own motion or on motion of a party, may transfer the case at any time to any appropriate county, including a county where:

Before the court transfers a case to a court outside the State, the court shall communicate with the other court in accordance with the Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act.

In every county, one or more judges shall be assigned specially to handle cases arising under this subtitle and Subtitle 8A of this title.

The assignment shall be made by the circuit administrative judge, subject to the approval of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland.

The judges so assigned are not subject to an automatic regular rotation.

Desire to be so assigned;

Have the temperament necessary to deal properly with the cases and children likely to come before the court; and

Have special experience or training in juvenile causes and the problems of children likely to come before the court.

The judges of a circuit court may not appoint a magistrate for juvenile causes arising under this subtitle and Subtitle 8A of this title unless the appointment and the appointee are approved by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland.

The standards expressed in § 3–806(b) of this subtitle, with respect to the assignment of judges, are applicable to the appointment of magistrates.

A magistrate, at the time of appointment and at all times while serving as a magistrate, shall be a member in good standing of the Maryland Bar.

A magistrate appointed for juvenile causes may conduct hearings.

Each proceeding shall be recorded, and the magistrate shall make findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations as to an appropriate order.

The proposals and recommendations shall be in writing, and, within 10 days after the hearing, the original shall be filed with the court and a copy served on each party to the proceeding.

Any party, in accordance with the Maryland Rules, may file written exceptions to any or all of the magistrate’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations, but shall specify those items to which the party objects.

The party who files exceptions may elect a hearing de novo or a hearing on the record before the court unless the party is the State in proceedings involving juvenile delinquency under Subtitle 8A of this title.

If the State is the excepting party in proceedings involving juvenile delinquency, the hearing shall be on the record, supplemented by additional evidence as the judge considers relevant and to which the parties raise no objection.

In either case, the hearing shall be limited to those matters to which exceptions have been taken.

The proposals and recommendations of a magistrate for juvenile causes do not constitute orders or final action of the court.

The proposals and recommendations shall be promptly reviewed by the court, and, in the absence of timely and proper exceptions, they may be adopted by the court and appropriate orders entered based on them.

Detention, community detention, or shelter care may be ordered by a magistrate pending court review of the magistrate’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

A child over the age of 10 who would have been the subject of the petition, if appropriate;

The parent, guardian, or custodian of the child who would have been the subject of the petition; and

Each person or agency that requested that a petition be filed.

Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, the Maryland Rules govern the format of a petition and of other pleadings and the procedures to be followed by the court and parties under this subtitle.

Each document that a local department serves on a parent under this subtitle shall include information about the website that the Department of Human Services maintains under § 2–302 of the Human Services Article.

In any proceeding in which a child is alleged to be in need of assistance or in any voluntary placement hearing, the court may exclude the general public from a hearing and admit only those persons having a direct interest in the proceeding and their representatives.

The court shall exclude the general public from a hearing where the proceedings involve discussion of confidential information from the child abuse and neglect report and record, or any information obtained from the child welfare agency concerning a child or family who is receiving Title IV–B child welfare services or Title IV–E foster care or adoption assistance.

A CINA petition under this subtitle shall allege that a child is in need of assistance and shall set forth in clear and simple language the facts supporting that allegation.

A voluntary placement petition under this subtitle shall allege that continuation of a voluntary placement is in the best interests of the child or former CINA and shall set forth in clear and simple language the facts supporting that allegation.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated, unless the context of their use indicates otherwise.

“Abandon” means to leave a child without any provision for support and without any person who has accepted long–term responsibility to maintain care and have custody and control of the child when:

“Crime of violence”:

“Torture” means to cause intense pain to body or mind for purposes of punishment or extraction of information or for sadistic purposes.

Has subjected the child to any of the following aggravated circumstances:

Has been convicted, in any state or any court of the United States, of:

Has involuntarily lost parental rights of a sibling of the child.

Request that a permanency planning hearing be held in accordance with § 3–823 of this subtitle within 30 days after the court makes the finding; and

Make reasonable efforts to place the child in a timely manner in accordance with the permanency plan and complete the steps necessary to finalize the permanent placement of the child.

Indigent; or

Otherwise not represented and:

Is the parent or guardian of the alleged CINA;

Applies to the Office of the Public Defender requesting legal representation by the Public Defender in the proceeding; and

Is financially eligible for the services of the Public Defender.

A child who is the subject of a CINA petition shall be represented by counsel.

Unless the court finds that it would not be in the best interests of the child, the court shall:

In accordance with an order of the court;

In accordance with § 5-709 of the Family Law Article; or

By a law enforcement officer if the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the child is in immediate danger from the child’s surroundings and that the child’s removal is necessary for the child’s protection.

Immediately notify the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian;

Immediately notify the local department; and

Keep custody only until the local department either takes custody under § 3-815 of this subtitle or authorizes release of the child unless the officer determines that it is safe to return the child to the child’s parent, custodian, or guardian.

If a parent, guardian, or custodian fails to bring the child before the court when requested, the court may issue a writ of attachment directing that the child be taken into custody and brought before the court.

The court may proceed against the parent, guardian, or custodian for contempt.

Placement is required to protect the child from serious immediate danger;

There is no parent, guardian, custodian, relative, or other person able to provide supervision; and

Whenever a child is not returned to the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian, the local department shall immediately file a petition to authorize continued shelter care.

If the child’s parents, guardian, custodian, or relatives can be located, reasonable notice, oral or written, stating the time, place, and purpose of the shelter care hearing shall be given.

A court may not order shelter care for more than 30 days except that shelter care may be extended for up to an additional 30 days if the court finds after a hearing held as part of an adjudication that continued shelter care is needed to provide for the safety of the child.

Unless good cause is shown, a court shall give priority to the child’s relatives over nonrelatives when ordering shelter care for a child.

Return of the child to the child’s home is contrary to the safety and welfare of the child; and

If a child’s parent is receiving treatment in a residential substance use disorder treatment program with beds or services for patients’ children and the child is in the presence of the child’s parent for the duration of the child’s parent’s treatment, there is a presumption that:

This subsection may not be construed to prohibit another parent or a guardian, a custodian, a relative, or another person able to provide supervision and care from providing supervision and care for a child for the duration of the child’s parent’s treatment if the other parent, guardian, custodian, relative, or other person agrees to provide supervision and care.

If the court continues shelter care on the basis of an alleged emergency, the court shall assess whether the absence of efforts to prevent removal was reasonable.

If the court finds that the absence of efforts to prevent removal was not reasonable, the court shall make a written determination so stating.

The court shall make a written determination as to whether reasonable efforts are being made to make it possible to return the child to the child’s home or whether the absence of such efforts is reasonable.

An alleged CINA may not be placed in:

An alleged CINA may not be placed in a shelter care facility that is not operating in compliance with applicable State licensing laws.

The Secretary of Human Services, the Secretary of Juvenile Services, the Secretary of Health, the State Superintendent of Schools, and the Special Secretary for Children, Youth, and Families, when appropriate, shall jointly adopt regulations to ensure that any child placed in shelter care in accordance with a petition filed under this section is provided appropriate services, including:

In addition to any other provision, the regulations shall require the local department:

As part of a study under this section, the court may order that the child or any parent, guardian, or custodian be examined at a suitable place by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other professionally qualified person.

The report of a study under this section is admissible as evidence at a disposition hearing but not at an adjudicatory hearing.

The attorney for each party has the right to receive the report at least 5 days before its presentation to the court, to challenge or impeach its findings and to present appropriate evidence with respect to it.

The time requirement specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection does not apply to an emergency dispositional review hearing held in accordance with § 3-820 of this subtitle.

In a hearing conducted in accordance with § 3–815, § 3–817, § 3–819, or § 3–823 of this subtitle, the court shall make a finding whether the local department made reasonable efforts to prevent placement of the child into the local department’s custody.

In a review hearing conducted in accordance with § 3–823 of this subtitle or § 5–326 of the Family Law Article, the court shall make a finding whether a local department made reasonable efforts to:

In a hearing conducted in accordance with § 3–815, § 3–817, or § 3–819 of this subtitle, before determining whether a child with a developmental disability or a mental illness is a child in need of assistance, the court shall make a finding whether the local department made reasonable efforts to prevent placement of the child into the local department’s custody by determining whether the local department could have placed the child in accordance with a voluntary placement agreement under § 5–525(b)(1)(i) or (iii) of the Family Law Article.

The court shall require a local department to provide evidence of its efforts before the court makes a finding required under this subsection.

The court’s finding under this subsection shall assess the efforts made since the last adjudication of reasonable efforts and may not rely on findings from prior hearings.

The extent to which a local department has complied with the law, regulations, state or federal court orders, or a stipulated agreement accepted by the court regarding the provision of services to a child in an out–of–home placement;

Whether a local department has ensured that:

For a hearing under § 3–823 of this subtitle, whether a local department has provided appropriate services that facilitate the achievement of a permanency plan for the child, including consideration of in–State and out–of–state placement options;

Whether the child’s placement has been stable and in the least restrictive setting appropriate, available, and accessible for the child during the period since the most recent hearing held by the court;

Whether a local department notified the court and all parties before any change of placement for the child, or, if emergency conditions made a change necessary, as soon as possible after the change of placement;

On receipt of a report of maltreatment of a child occurring while the child is in the custody of a local department, whether the local department provided the appropriate parties, including the child’s attorney, a report or notice of a report of the suspected maltreatment of the child and of the disposition of the investigation within the time required by regulation and court order; and

Whether a local department has provided appropriate and timely services to help maintain the child in the child’s existing placement, including all services and benefits available in accordance with State law, regulations, state and federal court orders, stipulated agreements, or professional standards regarding the provision of services to children in out–of–home placements.

A local department did not comply with law, regulations, court orders, or agreements described in subsection (c)(1) of this section;

A local department did not ensure continuity of casework as described in subsection (c)(2) of this section;

A local department did not provide the services described in subsection (c)(3) of this section;

During the period since the most recent court hearing, the child has not been placed in a stable placement or in the least restrictive setting appropriate, available, and accessible for the child;

A local department failed to provide reports or notices of reports in a timely manner as described in subsection (c)(5) or (6) of this section; or

A local department has not provided the services described in subsection (c)(7) of this section.

The director of the local department;

The Social Services Administration;

The State Citizens Review Board for Children established under § 5–535 of the Family Law Article;

If applicable, the local citizens review panel established under § 5–539.2 of the Family Law Article; and

Any individual or agency identified by a local department or the court as responsible for monitoring the care and services provided to children in the legal custody or guardianship of the local department on a systematic basis.

Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the court shall conduct a hearing to review the status of each child under its jurisdiction within 6 months after the filing of the first petition under this subtitle and at least every 6 months thereafter.

At a review hearing under this section, the court shall:

The court shall conduct a hearing to review the status of a child placed in a qualified residential treatment program and determine the appropriateness of placement within 60 days after the child enters the placement.

At a hearing under this subsection, the court shall:

The court shall state, in writing, the reasons for its decision to approve or disapprove the continued placement of a child in a qualified residential treatment program under this subsection.

The appropriateness of the child’s current school placement;

The school placement of the child’s siblings;

The minimization of school changes;

The proximity of the school to the child’s placement;

Transportation to and from school;

The proper release and prompt transfer of the child’s education records;

The child’s school attendance;

The identification of and consultation with the child’s educational guardian;

The maintenance of any individual education plan (IEP); and

The child’s appropriate grade level progress or progress toward graduation.

Substance use disorder treatment is made available to the parent and the parent refuses the recommended level of substance use disorder treatment, or does not successfully complete the recommended level of substance use disorder treatment.

There is a presumption that a child is receiving proper care and attention from the parent for purposes of § 3–801(f)(2) of this subtitle if:

This subsection may not be construed to prohibit another parent or a guardian, a custodian, a relative, or another person able to provide supervision and care from providing supervision and care for a child for the duration of the child’s parent’s treatment if the other parent, guardian, custodian, relative, or other person agrees to provide supervision and care.

Unless a CINA petition under this subtitle is dismissed, the court shall hold a separate disposition hearing after an adjudicatory hearing to determine whether the child is a CINA.

The disposition hearing shall be held on the same day as the adjudicatory hearing unless on its own motion or motion of a party, the court finds that there is good cause to delay the disposition hearing to a later day.

If the court delays a disposition hearing, it shall be held no later than 30 days after the conclusion of the adjudicatory hearing unless good cause is shown.

In making a disposition on a CINA petition under this subtitle, the court shall:

Unless good cause is shown, a court shall give priority to the child’s relatives over nonrelatives when committing the child to the custody of an individual other than a parent.

If the court finds that a child enrolled in a public elementary or secondary school is in need of assistance and commits the child to the custody of a local department, the court may notify the county superintendent, the supervisor of pupil personnel, or any other official designated by the county superintendent of the fact that the child has been found to be in need of assistance and has been committed to the custody of a local department.

If the court rescinds the commitment order for a child enrolled in a public elementary or secondary school, the court may notify the county superintendent, the supervisor of pupil personnel, or any other official designated by the county superintendent of the fact that the child is no longer committed to the custody of a local department of social services.

The notice authorized under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection may not include any order or pleading related to the child in need of assistance case.

Determine custody, visitation, support, or paternity of a child in accordance with § 3–803(b) of this subtitle; and

For a child with a developmental disability, direct the provision of services to obtain ongoing care, if any, needed after the court’s jurisdiction ends.

Set forth specific findings of fact as to the circumstances that caused the need for the removal; and

Inform the parents, custodian, or guardian, if any, that the person or agency to which the child is committed may change the permanency plan of reunification to another permanency plan, which may include the filing of a petition for termination of parental rights if the parents:

A guardian appointed under this section has no control over the property of the child unless the court expressly grants that authority.

The child has a mental disorder;

The child needs inpatient medical care or treatment for the protection of the child or others;

The child is unable or unwilling to be voluntarily admitted to such facility; and

There is no less restrictive form of intervention available that is consistent with the child’s condition and welfare.

The child is developmentally disabled;

The condition is of such a nature that for the adequate care or protection of the child or others, the child needs in–residence care or treatment; and

There is no less restrictive form of care and treatment available that is consistent with the child’s welfare and safety.

The child is transitioned to adult guardianship care if adult guardianship is necessary and there is no less restrictive alternative that meets the needs of the child; and

Whether continuation of the placement is in the child’s best interests; and

Whether reasonable efforts have been made to reunify the child with the family or place the child in a timely manner in accordance with the child’s permanency plan.

Order the child’s voluntary placement to be terminated and the child returned to the child’s home and provided with available services and support needed for the child to remain in the home;

Order the child’s voluntary placement to continue if the local department and the child’s parent or guardian continue to agree to the voluntary placement;

Subject to the provisions of § 3–819(h), (i), and (j) of this subtitle, order an amendment to the voluntary placement agreement to address the needs of the child; or

If necessary to ensure the care, protection, safety, and mental and physical development of the child, order the local department to file a CINA petition.

Order the former CINA’s voluntary placement to continue and make any necessary orders to address the needs of the former CINA, if the local department and the former CINA continue to agree to the voluntary placement; or

In this section, “disability” means:

“Disability” shall be construed in accordance with the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, P.L. 110–325.

Rescinds the child’s commitment to the local department;

Achieves the child’s permanency plan;

Terminates the local department’s legal obligations and responsibilities to the child; and

Terminates the child’s case, unless the court finds good cause not to terminate the child’s case.

May order any further reviews that the court determines to be in the child’s best interests;

Shall conduct a review hearing at least every 12 months until the case is terminated; and

May not conclude a review hearing unless the court has seen the child in person.

Before granting custody and guardianship under this section, the court shall consider:

The report under paragraph (1)(iii) of this subsection shall include a:

If the local department has not produced the report described in paragraph (1)(iii) of this subsection within 120 days after the date that the court issued the order to the local department to produce the report, the court shall:

Following the hearing required under paragraph (3) of this subsection, the court shall:

Removal is required to protect the child from serious immediate danger;

The child’s continued placement in the court-ordered placement is contrary to the welfare of the child; or

The person or agency with whom the child is placed has requested the immediate removal of the child.

Before removal or, if not possible, immediately after removal, the local department shall notify all parties, counsel, and the court of the removal of the child.

The local department shall provide the address and phone number of the child’s new placement to the child’s counsel.

If the child is not returned to the court-ordered placement, the local department shall immediately file a motion to authorize the removal of the child and the child’s new placement.

The motion shall set forth:

The court shall hold an emergency review placement hearing on the motion not later than the next day on which the circuit court is in session.

All parties shall be given reasonable notice of the hearing.

Unless all parties agree to the court’s order at the emergency review placement hearing, the court, at that hearing, shall schedule a regular review hearing within 30 days after the emergency review hearing for a full hearing on the merits of the local department’s action.

At the full hearing on the merits, the rules of evidence under Title 5 of the Maryland Rules shall apply.

The hearing may be postponed by agreement of the parties or for good cause shown.

Is or may be detrimental or harmful to a child over whom the court has jurisdiction;

Will tend to defeat the execution of an order or disposition made or to be made under this subtitle; or

Will assist in the rehabilitation of or is necessary for the welfare of the child.

Notice of the proposed order controlling the person’s conduct; and

The opportunity to contest the entry of the proposed order.

At each CINA hearing, the court shall inquire into, and make findings of fact on the record as to, the identity and current address of each parent of each child before the court.

In carrying out paragraph (1) of this subsection, the court shall:

Order a parent or putative parent to:

Make a finding of paternity in accordance with Title 5, Subtitle 10, Part VI of the Family Law Article.

The court shall hold a permanency planning hearing to determine the permanency plan for a child:

For purposes of this section, a child shall be considered to have entered an out–of–home placement 30 days after the child is placed into an out–of–home placement.

If all parties agree, a permanency planning hearing may be held on the same day as the reasonable efforts hearing.

On the written request of a party or on its own motion, the court may schedule a hearing at any earlier time to determine a permanency plan or to review the implementation of a permanency plan for any child committed under § 3–819 of this subtitle.

A written request for review shall state the reason for the request and each issue to be raised.

At a permanency planning hearing, the court shall:

In determining the child’s permanency plan, the court shall consider the factors specified in § 5–525(f)(1) of the Family Law Article.

Return home;

Be referred for termination of parental rights; or

Be placed for adoption or guardianship with a specified and appropriate relative or legal guardian willing to care for the child.

Order the local department to file a petition for guardianship in accordance with Title 5, Subtitle 3 of the Family Law Article within 30 days or, if the local department does not support the plan, within 60 days; and

Schedule a TPR hearing instead of the next 6–month review hearing.

The court shall conduct a hearing to review the permanency plan at least every 6 months until commitment is rescinded or a voluntary placement is terminated.

At the review hearing, the court shall:

When the permanency plan is another planned permanent living arrangement, the review hearing shall include:

Every reasonable effort shall be made to effectuate a permanent placement for the child within 24 months after the date of initial placement.

At least every 12 months at a hearing under this section, the court shall consult on the record with the child in an age–appropriate manner to obtain the child’s views on permanency.

Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection, if the child’s placement is outside the State and, after a hearing or with the agreement of all parties, the court determines that it is not in the best interest of the child to be transported to the court, the court may use video conferencing to consult with the child on the record during the hearing.

The child is transitioned to adult guardianship care if adult guardianship is necessary and there is no less restrictive alternative that meets the needs of the child; and

The court may order emergency medical, dental, or surgical treatment of a child alleged to have a condition or illness that, in the opinion of a licensed physician or dentist, as the case may be, requires immediate treatment, if the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian is not available or, without good cause, refuses to consent to the treatment.

A child may be placed in an emergency facility on an emergency basis under Title 10, Subtitle 6, Part IV of the Health - General Article.

Committed or transferred to any public or private facility or institution unless the child is placed in accommodations that are separate from adults who are confined to that facility or institution; or

Treated in any group with adults.

Unless the court directs otherwise, a local department shall provide all parties with a written report at least 10 days before any scheduled disposition, permanency planning, or review hearing under § 3-819 or § 3-823 of this subtitle.

The time requirements specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection do not apply to an emergency review placement hearing under § 3-820 of this subtitle.

All court records under this subtitle pertaining to a child shall be confidential and their contents may not be divulged, by subpoena or otherwise, except by order of the court on good cause shown.

This subsection does not prohibit review of a court record by:

Information obtained from a court record is subject to the provisions of §§ 1–201, 1–202, 1–204, and 1–205 of the Human Services Article.

On its own motion or on petition, and for good cause shown, the court:

If sealed, the court records of a child may not be opened, for any purpose, except by order of the court on good cause shown.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Advocate” or “C.A.S.A.” means a Court–Appointed Special Advocate.

“Program” means a Court–Appointed Special Advocate service that is created in a county with the support of the court for that county to provide trained volunteers whom the court may appoint to:

There is a Court–Appointed Special Advocate Program.

The purpose of the Program is to provide volunteers whose primary purpose is to ensure the provision of appropriate service and case planning consistent with the best interests of a child who is the subject of:

The Administrative Office of the Courts: