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<section article="gcj" article_name="Courts and Judicial Proceedings" number="3-830" title_number="3" title_name="Courts of General Jurisdiction -- Jurisdiction/special Causes of Action" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Juvenile Causes -- Children in Need of Assistance">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Advocate” or “C.A.S.A.” means a Court–Appointed Special Advocate.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>“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:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Provide the court with background information to aid it in making decisions in the child’s best interest; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Ensure that the child is provided appropriate case planning and services.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>There is a Court–Appointed Special Advocate Program.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>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:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>A CINA proceeding;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>A custody and guardianship proceeding under § 3–819.2 of this subtitle; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>A guardianship review proceeding under Title 5, Subtitle 3 of the Family Law Article.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The Administrative Office of the Courts:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Shall administer the Program;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Shall report annually to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly regarding the operation of the Program; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>May adopt rules governing the implementation and operation of the Program including funding, training, selection, and supervision of volunteers.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The Governor may include funds in the budget to carry out the provisions of this section.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>An advocate or a member of the administrative staff of the Program is not liable for an act or omission in providing services or performing a duty on behalf of the Program, unless the act or omission constitutes reckless, willful, or wanton misconduct or intentionally tortious conduct.</text>
  </level>
</section>
