# Family Law (GFL)

## Title 5. Children

### Subtitle 3. Guardianship to and Adoption Through Local Department

#### Section 5-301

(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 Sec. 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 Sec. 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 Sec. 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 Sec. 3-801 of the Courts Article.

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Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)