§ 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.

HISTORY: 2005, ch. 464, § 3.