(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 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.
Maryland Legal Code