Section 5-301 - Definitions.

§ 5-301. Definitions.
 

(a)  In general.- In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 

(b)  Caregiver.- "Caregiver" means a person with whom a child resides and who exercises responsibility for the welfare of the child. 

(c)  Child.- "Child" means an individual who is the subject of a guardianship or adoption petition under this subtitle. 

(d)  Guardianship.- "Guardianship" means an award, under this subtitle, of any power of a guardian. 

(e)  Identifying information.- "Identifying information" means information that reveals the identity or location of an individual. 

(f)  Parent.-  

(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. 

(g)  Party.- "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. 
 

[2005, ch. 464, § 3.]