§ 5–301
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 5-301 (2026)
Title 5. Children
Subtitle 3. Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department
§ 5–301LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Caregiver” means a person with whom a child resides and who exercises responsibility for the welfare of the child.
(c)
“Child” means an individual who is the subject of a guardianship or adoption petition under this subtitle.
(d)
“Developmental disability” has the meaning stated in § 3–801 of the Courts Article.
(e)
“Guardianship” means an award, under this subtitle, of any power of a guardian.
(f)
“Identifying information” means information that reveals the identity or location of an individual.
(g)
(1)
“Parent” means an individual who, at the time a petition for guardianship is filed under this subtitle or at any time before a court terminates the individual’s parental rights:
(i)
meets a criterion in § 5–306(a) of this subtitle; or
(ii)
is the mother.
(2)
“Parent” does not include an individual whom a court has adjudicated not to be a father or mother of a child.
(h)
“Party” means:
(1)
in a guardianship case under this subtitle:
(i)
the child;
(ii)
except as provided in § 5–326(a)(3)(iii) of this subtitle, the child’s parent; and
(iii)
the local department to which the child is committed;
(2)
in an adoption case under Part III of this subtitle:
(i)
the child;
(ii)
the child’s parent; and
(iii)
the individual seeking adoption;
(3)
in an adoption case under Part IV of this subtitle:
(i)
the child; and
(ii)
the individual seeking adoption; and
(4)
if express reference is made to a CINA case, a governmental unit or person defined as a party in § 3–801 of the Courts Article.